Thanks Bill. Very thorough writing on the trade! Thanks for all the clarifications. Any word about the report that Kevin Hayes influenced Gauthier's decision? Hayes already denied it.

Gauthier now has every opportunity to tell his side of the story. I hope he does, and hope it happens quickly.
- Trox88

Personally, I think this trade should be a lesson to those who talk as if they know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes. Nobody and I mean nobody saw this was coming.

My take on this is simply that the Flyers haven't been anywhere near relevant in a very long time. With the exception of a miracle in 2010, they haven't been to a cup final this century. They haven't won a cup in 50 years. They have a few good players, but no where near the promise of the Ducks.
What can management say? Really not this groups fault. But how close would we be if Cutter arrived in 24-25? I'm hoping Drysdale turns out, but no proof he will. Gauthier has the higher upside. Hopefully we handle this with more class than Quebec did with the Lindros thing, and no I'm not comparing the 2 players. Are we now in the same place Quebec was at that time in terms of esteem? Could be!

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what some fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.

I’m not sure how the Flyers are on the losing end. Cutter will probably leave the Ducks Richards flapping in the wind the first chance he gets as a UFA.

Drysdale is an excellent D prospect. RH too. And everyone seems to love him from scouts to coaches to teammates.

If you told me 5 years ago the Flyers would get a top 21 year old RH D prospect for a prospect that decided to cut all ties with the team… I’d be planning a (frank)ing parade.
- hereticpride

in a 1 for players swap, CG will probably better IMO, but not by much. I say they "lost" but really they did the best they could with situation. its not a bad thing.

I will say this, Ducks fans X reactions were initially of the same disbelief as Flyers fans on CG. That should tell you something about the kid the Flyers are getting.

It is entirely possible that Gauthier is the guy who was a Richard here. And based on what I read about Drysdale, I have no problems with the trade and like his skill set more than that of Gauthier. Having him and Michkov on the ice at the same time could be tremendous if all pans out. I like the Flyers doing the reverse of NP over Makar here.

But I dislike an organized hit job and what is clearly a 1-sided media campaign on a 19 year old budding star. Full of hidden rancor. I especially dislike it* when it keeps happening, several times a year, year after year.

Just fold the franchise and start a reality show.

EDIT: By it, I mean the drama
- PT21

it is indeed. What changed his mind to go down this drastic road?

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what same fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.
- StepfordSam

pure gold jerry isn't it!!!

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what same fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.
- StepfordSam

I can’t believe this is a thing. I just googled Kevin Hayes and Cutter Gauthier and it is in fact a possibility Hayes was involved.

We play Hayes in like a week.

cost him $$$....neve mess with a mans money.

He was clear he wanted to spend 1 year in college. He told the teams.
- hello it's me 2050

It was also clear he could have used another year at BC also.

It is entirely possible that Gauthier is the guy who was a Richard here. And based on what I read about Drysdale, I have no problems with the trade and like his skill set more than that of Gauthier. Having him and Michkov on the ice at the same time could be tremendous if all pans out. I like the Flyers doing the reverse of NP over Makar here.

But I dislike an organized hit job and what is clearly a 1-sided media campaign on a 19 year old budding star. Full of hidden rancor. I especially dislike it when it keeps happening, several times a year, year after year.

Just fold the franchise and start a reality show.
- PT21

Where's the hit job? The kid said he didn't want to be here and didn't give them a reason. That's all the Flyers said. What were they supposed to say? We love Jamie Drysdale so much that we had to let our top prospect (who just won a gold and was named MVP of the tournament) go before we even see him play in the NHL? What was your reaction to the move before you heard Cutter didn't want to be here? Seemed stupid to me. Wouldn't the Flyers then look even worse when the news came out that Cutter didn't want to be in Philly and refused to even communicate with them about it? Also, wouldn't you be pissed about it? I thought they were pretty low key about it considering the situation.

It was also clear he could have used another year at BC also.
- jd250

that isnt the point at all.

He did want to play here, but something changed his mind to the point of not wanting anything to do with the team.


Pure speculation.


He was...over 8 months ago. I am sure he had heard the Flyers side, and wanted nothing to do with the team.



Why? please explain this unrational thought.




This has nothing to do with Lindros
- TheFreak

Of course its speculation, hence why I posted "my guess"!

You say you are sure CG heard the Flyers side of things? How can you be sure of that? Briere said he hasn't spoke with the player or his family since this past training camp, so from what I gather they didn't give the Flyers a chance to understand their concerns and address them.

It's not irrational to think that if Gauthier changed his mind once already about the team that drafted him, that he would refuse to play for a team he got traded to.

Where's the hit job? The kid said he didn't want to be here and didn't give them a reason. That's all the Flyers said. What were they supposed to say? We love Jamie Drysdale so much that we had to let our top prospect (who just won a gold and was named MVP of the tournament) go before we even see him play in the NHL? What was your reaction to the move before you heard Cutter didn't want to be here? Seemed stupid to me. Wouldn't the Flyers then look even worse when the news came out that Cutter didn't want to be in Philly and refused to even communicate with them about it? Also, wouldn't you be pissed about it? I thought they were pretty low key about it considering the situation.
- Dkos

Well put and I’ll say this again. As much as many talk like they know what’s going on behind the scenes, this should be a lesson that nobody knows what’s going on. We just went from cheering on and being as excited about Gauthier as we are Michkov, to hating this kid. At least I did. It’s been less than 15 hours.

Briere gave us all the details nobody could have known 24 hours ago. The Flyers viewed him as a left wing. We didn’t know this. Gauthier refused to talk to the Flyers since the end of the world’s tournament last summer. We didn’t know that. The Flyers have had plans to trade Gauthier for months. We didn’t know that.

It is entirely possible that Gauthier is the guy who was a Richard here. And based on what I read about Drysdale, I have no problems with the trade and like his skill set more than that of Gauthier. Having him and Michkov on the ice at the same time could be tremendous if all pans out. I like the Flyers doing the reverse of NP over Makar here.

But I dislike an organized hit job and what is clearly a 1-sided media campaign on a 19 year old budding star. Full of hidden rancor. I especially dislike it* when it keeps happening, several times a year, year after year.

Just fold the franchise and start a reality show.

EDIT: By it, I mean the drama
- PT21

What would you expect from an organization that drafts a kid in good faith, and that they have been touting as a big part of their future, only to have that draft pick refuse to sign with you and not offer you a reason why? You're damned right the Flyers have very visible rancor.

And what drama are you referring too? When has this happened several times a year, year after year? This is pure hyperbole.

I can’t believe this is a thing. I just googled Kevin Hayes and Cutter Gauthier and it is in fact a possibility Hayes was involved.

We play Hayes in like a week.
- roenick97

The things I miss about Hayes I hope I see it next week...

1) Somehow always finding a way to be involved in an offsides
2) Great puck possession for over 30 seconds just to lose it at the blue line and causing a breakaway

that isnt the point at all.
- hello it's me 2050

Ok, so say Gauthier was disappointed that the Flyers felt he needed another year developing at BC, knowing that the BC team last year was very bad and that this year they would have a chance at a final 4 appearance. Why is this a bad thing? What kind of person picks up his toys and goes home because things didn't work out exactly as he planned? I know one thing, this is not the type of weak minded person I want playing for my team.

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what some fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.
- StepfordSam

No one from the Flyers brass mentioned Kevin Hayes at all. This was speculation on social media. Kevin Hayes has already denied any involvement.

Where's the hit job? The kid said he didn't want to be here and didn't give them a reason. That's all the Flyers said. What were they supposed to say? We love Jamie Drysdale so much that we had to let our top prospect (who just won a gold and was named MVP of the tournament) go before we even see him play in the NHL? What was your reaction to the move before you heard Cutter didn't want to be here? Seemed stupid to me. Wouldn't the Flyers then look even worse when the news came out that Cutter didn't want to be in Philly and refused to even communicate with them about it? Also, wouldn't you be pissed about it? I thought they were pretty low key about it considering the situation.
- Dkos

1. You dont know that. That is what you have been told. If that was true, reach out via intermediaries. Often, people will reveal the real reason off the record. I mean, there is an underlying reason for CG not wanting to play here, right? There has to be something? He is not a psychotic guy, is he?

2. Work with the kid's agent. Say we are trading you and we want a spin thats best for both of us. No need whatsoever to add all this thing about going to Sweden and him not wanting to meet us. This makes them look like a desperate partner trying their ex to not go through with divorce or something. No need to have your demented coach make comments about not knowing your best prospect in this country, one who is making hockey headlines, one who is possibly going to dress for you this year, from a "hole in the wall". It makes you look like an idiot.

Just say Cutter thought his future was different than what we think is best for him. We wish him the best. We are very excited to have Drysdale.

If Cutter truly didn't want to say what the issue was, it is likely deeper than wing/center. Maybe he saw organizational dysfunction, so deep that he knew it couldn't be corrected. How would you feel about whether he was right in his assessment based on how this matter was handled?

No doubt someone was in this kid's ear. Don't go from "born to be a Flyer" to ghosting your GM at WJC.

This has the potential to be a move to land a cornerstone piece to the "rebuild."

Tough to grade now but I'm excited.

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what some fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.
- StepfordSam

As dramatic as any movie.

Kevin Hayes, who was the face of the franchise at one point and an all around likable guy, is now a locker room cancer, a bad overall influence especially on young players, and is still destroying the Flyers through his insidious methods.

Truly hysterical what some fans believe. I do admire the Flyers media campaign though. They’ve learned from the best.
- StepfordSam

Highly doubt Hayes had anything to do with this but let’s not pretend Hayes is anything more than an overpaid class clown

It is entirely possible that Gauthier is the guy who was a Richard here. And based on what I read about Drysdale, I have no problems with the trade and like his skill set more than that of Gauthier. Having him and Michkov on the ice at the same time could be tremendous if all pans out. I like the Flyers doing the reverse of NP over Makar here.

But I dislike an organized hit job and what is clearly a 1-sided media campaign on a 19 year old budding star. Full of hidden rancor. I especially dislike it* when it keeps happening, several times a year, year after year.

Just fold the franchise and start a reality show.

EDIT: By it, I mean the drama
- PT21

I have a different view. Cutter’s team was honest and the management confirmed that they were upfront and consistent about not wanting to play for the team. Cutter could have waited for his senior year and walked for nothing like Adam Fox.

While I don’t like him ghosting the team, at least his side gave the Flyers (and didn’t go public with their trade desires) to get value.

The Flyers management then kept quiet and got value here. And they were honest with their fans about what happened. They said they didn’t know why- and didn’t speculate. They didn’t say anything bad about the kid. In fact, they stated they wanted the player and thought he would be a good player in the league.

We haven’t heard Cutters side but I’d say both sides have been cordial about it all. It just sucks to feel rejected as a fan base, franchise, and city. Of course I haven’t lived in the Philly area for over 20 years but I still bleed orange and black and will boo the kid every opportunity I get.

Ok, so say Gauthier was disappointed that the Flyers felt he needed another year developing at BC, knowing that the BC team last year was very bad and that this year they would have a chance at a final 4 appearance. Why is this a bad thing? What kind of person picks up his toys and goes home because things didn't work out exactly as he planned? I know one thing, this is not the type of weak minded person I want playing for my team.
- jd250

Another year of college is another year not earning an NHL salary.

You have absolutely no idea as to his mental makeup, so you should just stop with this nonsense. He said he didn't want to be a Flyer, and stood his ground. Doesn't sound weak minded to me. Maybe he sees his bigger picture as different from the Flyers bigger picture.

From Charlie O'Connor today:

And in fairness, it’s not that Gauthier lacked question marks as well, with the biggest being whether he would be able to stick at center in the NHL. Perhaps it was partially out of spite, but Briere made sure to refer to Gauthier as a left winger in his opening statement Monday, and confirmed it was no accident later in the availability.

“As far as Cutter, we saw him more as a winger,” Briere said.

Nor was it a guarantee that Gauthier’s style of play — which includes a heavy dose of distance shooting and some casual play away from the puck — would fully translate to the NHL level. It was certainly a possible outcome, especially given Gauthier’s enviable physical tools. But it wasn’t a guarantee.

The next time I tell you all about a player .. take it to the bank.