Any player can refuse to sign with the team that drafted them right now. There are plenty of disincentives to doing so, so it rarely happens.

Cooper Marody didn't want to sign here.
- Feanor

any link for that?

Everything I’ve heard so far about Gauthier not wanting to sign.

-friends with Hayes.
-Pittsburgh Penguins fan
-Promises Fletcher made that Briere may not be willing to uphold.
-bonus money.
-No prior experience with management

There isn’t a single good reason for this kid not to play here that I’ve heard so far. I think Gauthier just might be a dumb kid who buys into his own hype.
- roenick97

According to Keith Yandle. (A close HaYes friend). The LaZy HaYes story was garbage 🗑 conspiracy theory from Bundy. He told on First up - Toronto on TSN 1050

Everything I’ve heard so far about Gauthier not wanting to sign.

-friends with Hayes.
-Pittsburgh Penguins fan
-Promises Fletcher made that Briere may not be willing to uphold.
-bonus money.
-No prior experience with management

There isn’t a single good reason for this kid not to play here that I’ve heard so far. I think Gauthier just might be a dumb kid who buys into his own hype.
- roenick97

Yeah, whatever it he reason is it sure seems like he chose the nuclear option, which is just bizarre.

I’d be a little more sympathetic if he was some generational talent like Lindros and the Flyers were some franchise on the verge of folding but that’s absolutely not the case for either.

Has to be Torts. Please leave Kevin Hayes alone. Did he maybe mention how tough of a coach Torts is? Probably. But I do think it is unfair to blame this solely on Hayes. Kid's an entitled piece of USNDT. Lots of cuddled stars. Probably unfair to generalize like that but I don't think many of those kids are used to tough coaching.

Hate to bring this up but I still have serious doubts Michkov makes it over. I'll happily say I'm wrong once he makes it on US soil.

Let's go boys! Excited to see Drysdale. Turn Walker and a draft pick into a scoring forward and we got something this season.

Everything I’ve heard so far about Gauthier not wanting to sign.

-friends with Hayes.
-Pittsburgh Penguins fan
-Promises Fletcher made that Briere may not be willing to uphold.
-bonus money.
-No prior experience with management

There isn’t a single good reason for this kid not to play here that I’ve heard so far. I think Gauthier just might be a dumb kid who buys into his own hype.
- roenick97

There is some type of a huge communication breakdown between player and organization. The organization after trading gave their side of the story. If I'm in the Gauthier camp, I would advise him to communicate where it went wrong. Right now, he looks like an entitled, spoiled athlete, which may not even be true. However, staying silent does not refute that perception. Give a written or oral statement and be down with the whole saga. It makes absolutely zero sense that a first time GM would take a top 5 pick and have this relationship end in divorce. I really hope Gauthier has something to say.

It's not so much the refusing to sign etc. It is the surrounding drama.

There is at least one other, more rational take of this ghosting business. He told them, rightly or wrongly, entitled brat or far-sighted savant, that he will not sign and his decision was irrevocable. They kept pestering him. Ultimately, fed up and wanting to concentrate on the WJC, he ignored them.

Whoever it is at fault, at least one top prospect saw his future of the Flyers in such terms that he essentially forced a trade, without having any say as to where. He risked going to Arizona, to Buffalo, to Edmonton, etc etc. rather than stay here.

It's just one opinion, but goodness gracious.
- PT21

A player is playing in the WJC. There are the games and practice and any other team related functions. I'm sure there is plenty of free time available. Requesting to talk to a player who you own the draft rights to, is not pestering. Even if he told them he wasn't signing. What harm is there in showing some respect to the team that though enough of you to use a crucial asset to select you as a player? And meeting or talk to them on the phone?

I could definitely be wrong but I thought it was just an age thing with him where he had to go to the AHL or NHL and they opted to send him to the AHL.
- hereticpride

I could swear it was bonus money but I could also be wrong.

According to Keith Yandle. (A close HaYes friend). The LaZy HaYes story was garbage 🗑 conspiracy theory from Bundy. He told on First up - Toronto on TSN 1050
- THE EVIL WITHIN

I love Bundy but this sound more likely than anything.

There is some type of a huge communication breakdown between player and organization. The organization after trading gave their side of the story. If I'm in the Gauthier camp, I would advise him to communicate where it went wrong. Right now, he looks like an entitled, spoiled athlete, which may not even be true. However, staying silent does not refute that perception. Give a written or oral statement and be down with the whole saga. It makes absolutely zero sense that a first time GM would take a top 5 pick and have this relationship end in divorce. I really hope Gauthier has something to say.
- Trox88

My guess is they did not expect Briere to air this out at all. I’m guessing they also thought Briere would reach out and see where he wanted to go. Instead Briere comes out with his big swinging Richard and managed to get water from a stone and here we are.

Regarding the game last night, I thought it had a playoff like intensity. I also thought Forester, Brink, and Frost shied away from it. They played scared last night. They had some chances but I didn't think they were ready for the physicality. They'll learn.

There is some type of a huge communication breakdown between player and organization. The organization after trading gave their side of the story. If I'm in the Gauthier camp, I would advise him to communicate where it went wrong. Right now, he looks like an entitled, spoiled athlete, which may not even be true. However, staying silent does not refute that perception. Give a written or oral statement and be down with the whole saga. It makes absolutely zero sense that a first time GM would take a top 5 pick and have this relationship end in divorce. I really hope Gauthier has something to say.
- Trox88

I think the Flyers are owned an explanation after basically spitting in their collective faces. The kid refused to meet with them, so I definitely expect to hear nothing.

Yeah, whatever the reason is the reaction of essentially ghosting your franchise is an insane reaction. That is unless the Flyers did something really egregious, which there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of.

Still waiting to hear if his agent represents any other Flyers because he’s giving out absolutely awful advice. He represents Shane Wright as well and look how he embarrassed himself at the draft, dropping over how he reportedly handled himself in team interviews.
- hereticpride

It seems to be a highly centralized agency, with lots of NHL player representations, including Joel Farabee and Sean Walker. There are only 2 player agents listed in their team for North America. Given the large number of players, it is probably the case that they discuss representations at a board level.

Meaning it is not likely to be a case where a single agent ill advises a young client.

https://kosportsinc.com/clients/

A player is playing in the WJC. There are the games and practice and any other team related functions. I'm sure there is plenty of free time available. Requesting to talk to a player who you own the draft rights to, is not pestering. Even if he told them he wasn't signing. What harm is there in showing some respect to the team that though enough of you to use a crucial asset to select you as a player? And meeting or talk to them on the phone?
- MJL

The Athletic also says LeClair and Sharp went to see him play in November at BC. They spoke to the coach and asked for access to Cutter and Cutter said no. Never spoke to them.

On Nov. 17, former Flyers and current special advisors to the hockey operations department John LeClair and Patrick Sharp were at Boston College’s Kelley Rink to catch prospect Cutter Gauthier play against the University of Connecticut.
Gauthier had a memorable evening. He scored the game-tying goal in the third period and then again in overtime to help the Eagles defeat the Huskies, 5-4.
Sharp and LeClair met with Boston College coach Greg Brown after the game. They also intended and desired to meet with Gauthier, who was informed that the two Stanley Cup winners were in attendance by one of Brown’s assistant coaches.
Gauthier, though, declined to speak with them. That didn’t sit well with the Flyers front office, although by then, it was used to his and his camp’s refusal to have any sort of relationship.

My guess is they did not expect Briere to air this out at all. I’m guessing they also thought Briere would reach out and see where he wanted to go. Instead Briere comes out with his big swinging Richard and managed to get water from a stone and here we are.
- hereticpride

Honestly (frank) em. Briere stated he was protecting the kid. He’s not ours anymore and Briere definitely owed the fanbase an explanation. It’s us or him.

My guess is they did not expect Briere to air this out at all. I’m guessing they also thought Briere would reach out and see where he wanted to go. Instead Briere comes out with his big swinging Richard and managed to get water from a stone and here we are.
- hereticpride

Could be, but that was a gross miscalculation. You would think at a minimum the Gauthier camp would do a press release stating how much they look forward to building a future with Anaheim. Still, radio silence. Just very odd. I would assume Verbeek has gotten assurances from the Gauthier camp he is signing that ELC as soon as his college season is over.

The Athletic also says LeClair and Sharp went to see him play in November at BC. They spoke to the coach and asked for access to Cutter and Cutter said no. Never spoke to them.
- cdearth23

I saw with my own two eyes LeClair watching Cutter play in Michigan. I don’t know what happened there but they were in an arena together last summer.

A player is playing in the WJC. There are the games and practice and any other team related functions. I'm sure there is plenty of free time available. Requesting to talk to a player who you own the draft rights to, is not pestering. Even if he told them he wasn't signing. What harm is there in showing some respect to the team that though enough of you to use a crucial asset to select you as a player? And meeting or talk to them on the phone?
- MJL

I am just thinking out aloud. I am not saying I know this to be true. But what if he already told them his mind was made up ten times. And they wanted him to discuss it the 11th time? The 20th time? The 30th time?

I know you are probably ill-suited to appreciate this, but it does get very wearying to have to say the same thing over and over again.

The Athletic also says LeClair and Sharp went to see him play in November at BC. They spoke to the coach and asked for access to Cutter and Cutter said no. Never spoke to them.

On Nov. 17, former Flyers and current special advisors to the hockey operations department John LeClair and Patrick Sharp were at Boston College’s Kelley Rink to catch prospect Cutter Gauthier play against the University of Connecticut.
Gauthier had a memorable evening. He scored the game-tying goal in the third period and then again in overtime to help the Eagles defeat the Huskies, 5-4.
Sharp and LeClair met with Boston College coach Greg Brown after the game. They also intended and desired to meet with Gauthier, who was informed that the two Stanley Cup winners were in attendance by one of Brown’s assistant coaches.
Gauthier, though, declined to speak with them. That didn’t sit well with the Flyers front office, although by then, it was used to his and his camp’s refusal to have any sort of relationship.
- cdearth23

I'm really shocked that none of this ever leaked.

I'm really shocked that none of this ever leaked.
- MJL

Especially since reports say Danny spoke with close to 20 teams about moving him. Incredible it never got out.

Especially since we know what type of high level contacts EK has...

I am just thinking out aloud. I am not saying I know this to be true. But what if he already told them his mind was made up ten times. And they wanted him to discuss it the 11th time? The 20th time? The 30th time?

I know you are probably ill-suited to appreciate this, but it does get very wearying to have to say the same thing over and over again.
- PT21

You know, it's difficult for you to have a conversation without taking a shot, isn't it?

The Flyers own his draft rights. If I was them, I would exhaust all opportunity before moving on. I seriously doubt that the Flyers were calling him every other day. Briere stated that they gave Gauthier his space. Believe it or don't.

So getting away from the bullpoop because it is bullpoop and I’m still pissed! Anyone hear Drysdale talk? Sounds like him and Sanheim are officially a pair. He was friends with York and Laughton prior to the deal. Anything else stand out? He’s more man to man than a zone player.

The Athletic also says LeClair and Sharp went to see him play in November at BC. They spoke to the coach and asked for access to Cutter and Cutter said no. Never spoke to them.

On Nov. 17, former Flyers and current special advisors to the hockey operations department John LeClair and Patrick Sharp were at Boston College’s Kelley Rink to catch prospect Cutter Gauthier play against the University of Connecticut.
Gauthier had a memorable evening. He scored the game-tying goal in the third period and then again in overtime to help the Eagles defeat the Huskies, 5-4.
Sharp and LeClair met with Boston College coach Greg Brown after the game. They also intended and desired to meet with Gauthier, who was informed that the two Stanley Cup winners were in attendance by one of Brown’s assistant coaches.
Gauthier, though, declined to speak with them. That didn’t sit well with the Flyers front office, although by then, it was used to his and his camp’s refusal to have any sort of relationship.
- cdearth23

Ironic that Gauthier got bent out of shape when the Lekkermaki gave him the silent treatment in the handshake line after the gold medal game.

Forgot who reported this but when we decided not to sign Cutter last summer/spring, he was hurt/offended. I'm sure many of his buddies from USNDT were bragging about coin. He may have felt that Flyers didn't appreciate him. Supposedly, we didn't sign him to avoid a bonus or salary overage???

That sounds more reasonable. He felt disrespected and decided then he was not going to sign with the Flyers. Obviously the first-time GM didn't know how to deal with a star of his caliber. No one puts Cutter in the corner.

The Athletic also says LeClair and Sharp went to see him play in November at BC. They spoke to the coach and asked for access to Cutter and Cutter said no. Never spoke to them.

On Nov. 17, former Flyers and current special advisors to the hockey operations department John LeClair and Patrick Sharp were at Boston College’s Kelley Rink to catch prospect Cutter Gauthier play against the University of Connecticut.
Gauthier had a memorable evening. He scored the game-tying goal in the third period and then again in overtime to help the Eagles defeat the Huskies, 5-4.
Sharp and LeClair met with Boston College coach Greg Brown after the game. They also intended and desired to meet with Gauthier, who was informed that the two Stanley Cup winners were in attendance by one of Brown’s assistant coaches.
Gauthier, though, declined to speak with them. That didn’t sit well with the Flyers front office, although by then, it was used to his and his camp’s refusal to have any sort of relationship.
- cdearth23

I really, really hate this kid. LeClair is like a boyhood hero of mine. 😡

Forgot who reported this but when we decided not to sign Cutter last summer/spring, he was hurt/offended. I'm sure many of his buddies from USNDT were bragging about coin. He may have felt that Flyers didn't appreciate him. Supposedly, we didn't sign him to avoid a bonus or salary overage???

That sounds more reasonable. He felt disrespected and decided then he was not going to sign with the Flyers. Obviously the first-time GM didn't know how to deal with a star of his caliber. No one puts Cutter in the corner.
- cdearth23

This is nothing more than petty greed. There is nothing reasonable about it.