He’s got a lot, no, a ton of growing up to do. Cutting off all contact over that is absolutely absurd. Anaheim will be walking on eggshells around this kid for the foreseeable future.

All the talent in the world doesn’t excuse having little between the ears. Danny pulled off a hell of a trade to make this someone else’s problem, get a top flight RH D prospect and get a 2nd round pick.
- hereticpride

Here is what doesn't add up for me. Listening to Friedman, Gauthier was upset that last March, after his BC season ended, Gauthier wanted to turn pro and sign with the Flyers for the rest of the year, burning off a year of his ELC in the 22/23 season. The Flyers didn't want to do that for whatever reasons. It went sideways, Gauthier decided he didn't want to play for the Flyers and wouldn't sign. Which cost him this season of pro hockey! Those saying they cost him money, by deciding not to sign with the Flyers, cost him at least probably the max base salary of 950K plus whatever bonus money he negotiated for and earned.

Good on Danny for getting a promising young rhd and a second rounder for a player who had no intention of signing here. Still get a second rounder as if he didn’t but like the addition of a d man.
- Peter Richards

Not knowing the return. In my mind it’s impossible to get two assets, 1 being a roster player for a kid who has never even smelled NHL ice. With the Flyers recent history when talking about Nolan Patrick, Ryan Ellis. I am concerned with Jamie Drysdale not reaching his full potential. I’m worried about size. I’m worried about injury. It’s just been the Flyers way lately.

Little doubt in my mind he’ll be one of those players that ends up bouncing around from team to team on FA deals his entire career. That or he’ll demand a deal that cripples the roster around him. Good riddance.
- hereticpride

This is the kind of episode that can earn you a league-wide reputation, especially among GMs. I don’t know if he’s getting good advice from someone in his corner.

Here is what doesn't add up for me. Listening to Friedman, Gauthier was upset that last March, after his BC season ended, Gauthier wanted to turn pro and sign with the Flyers for the rest of the year, burning off a year of his ELC in the 22/23 season. The Flyers didn't want to do that for whatever reasons. It went sideways, Gauthier decided he didn't want to play for the Flyers and wouldn't sign. Which cost him this season of pro hockey! Those saying they cost him money, by deciding not to sign with the Flyers, cost him at least probably the max base salary of 950K plus whatever bonus money he negotiated for and earned.
- MJL

Even if this is true, I have a hard time believing the agent explicitly told Briere that if he did not offer the ELC and burn up the first year- that Cutter would never sign again. Would Brere just blow off that information. Also, I"m curious how prevelant a practice it is for GMs to offer this deal to burn a year off the ELC because the player's college season ended early?

anyone else see this?
https://twitter.com/Fried...tatus/1744792106650980367

A signing bonus?
- TheFreak

I have heard or read so many theories today as to why Gauthier didn't want to play for the Flyers, whether it was not being signed last year, or being poisoned by Hayes, or being a Penguins fan to Crosby being his favorite player. In the end it doesn't matter. The Flyers did nothing wrong here, at least not to the level that warrants this kind of blatant disrespect of a revered NHL franchise and a passionate fan base. The bottom line is Gauthier would have been signed as soon as his BC season ended and might have even played an NHL game or two this year. He wants Anaheim? Good Riddens!

Not knowing the return. In my mind it’s impossible to get two assets, 1 being a roster player for a kid who has never even smelled NHL ice. With the Flyers recent history when talking about Nolan Patrick, Ryan Ellis. I am concerned with Jamie Drysdale not reaching his full potential. I’m worried about size. I’m worried about injury. It’s just been the Flyers way lately.
- roenick97

Its my worry too regarding Drysdale, but I am trying to just put it out of my mind ... la la la la la la

Its ok. He doesn't either.
1. If it was true, the rumors about Hayes influencing Cutter not to stay with Flyers would have been even more of a violation. Did you see any site bringing that up?
2. Players informally not just talk but persuade other players with different teams to sign with their own teams all the time. Voracek (under contract with us) told Neuvirth (then with Buffalo) to sign with us.
3. Imagine having a rule that allowed players to mingle socially (such as weddings) but not discuss professional matters at such venues.How exactly would this rule be enforced?
4. Here, all Hayes would have done is ask the kid what was wrong. Informally. With the full acquiesence of Flyers brass. You can even formally talk to a player you are interested in if the player's team gives permission, as would be the case here. Who exactly would be the injured party here the rule would be designed to protect?

He just wants your (and especially mine) attention in lieu of his transparently desperate need for therapy. And will do anything to attain that. Just ignore him. Let him jaw in perpetuity with JD250, who has a heart of gold, and admirable forbearance.
- PT21

Wow, thank you! Very nice of you to say.

https://twitter.com/Broad...4p0kV9fY3Dr7TNNnexUA&s=19

Yup, we are in the bizarro world now.

According to Elliot Freidman:

“According to several sources, whatever happened pre-dates May 11, when Keith Jones was hired and Daniel Briere officially became general manager. The last time they met face-to-face with Gauthier was on a Zoom call right after the World Championships, which concluded May 28. At that time, the Flyers were hoping Gauthier was ready to sign, only to be floored by hearing he would never do so.”

If we’re to believe this…
Does this mean it was a Fletcher screw up? And if so, why would Gauthier not even speak with the new management? I can understand if he heard Briere and Jones out and then still didn’t want to sign but just refusing to hear them out just comes across as childish.

Even if this is true, I have a hard time believing the agent explicitly told Briere that if he did not offer the ELC and burn up the first year- that Cutter would never sign again. Would Brere just blow off that information. Also, I"m curious how prevelant a practice it is for GMs to offer this deal to burn a year off the ELC because the player's college season ended early?
- Trox88

I don't believe that his agent told the Flyers that. It was after the fact that the Flyers learned he didn't want to play for them. It's happened quite a few times with undrafted UFA's where they made it a condition of signing that they play at the end of the year and burn off a year of their ELC to get them closer to that second contract.

https://twitter.com/BroadStHockey/status/1744871092429172815?t=oc4p0kV9fY3Dr7TNNnexUA&s=19

Yup, we are in the bizarro world now.
- Trox88

“It’s a private issue between the player and his family,” Overhardt told TSN’s Pierre Lebrun. “We definitely had conversations with Philadelphia, we had very respectable conversations with Philadelphia about it, we’ve chosen just to take the high road and leave all that information private.”

That wasn't a shot. More like a wink. Though if it was a shot, it would have been well deserved. Now, that is a shot.

Ok chill.

So, gave him space, and then sent two HOF players* unannounced to talk with him at the same time?

I never did believe the Flyers version, and now that I have seen the KO sports organization, my suspicion is strengthened. This protracted ghosting .... just seems too unprofessional and amateurish.

I understand you have a different take on matters, which is fine.

EDIT: HOF caliber
- PT21

One of those two HOF players was John LeClair because I was at the game he attended. LeClair requested permission to meet with Gauthier after the game and was informed by the BC athletics department that Gauthier did not want to meet. Just another example of total disrespect Gauthier showed to a great NHL player who was there doing his job checking in on a Flyers prospect.

“It’s a private issue between the player and his family,” Overhardt told TSN’s Pierre Lebrun. “We definitely had conversations with Philadelphia, we had very respectable conversations with Philadelphia about it, we’ve chosen just to take the high road and leave all that information private.”
- furio16

I told you all this smelled like parents meddling in their kids NHL life.

I told you all this smelled like parents meddling in their kids NHL life.
- jd250

That's not what that is saying.

According to Elliot Freidman:

“According to several sources, whatever happened pre-dates May 11, when Keith Jones was hired and Daniel Briere officially became general manager. The last time they met face-to-face with Gauthier was on a Zoom call right after the World Championships, which concluded May 28. At that time, the Flyers were hoping Gauthier was ready to sign, only to be floored by hearing he would never do so.”

If we’re to believe this…
Does this mean it was a Fletcher screw up? And if so, why would Gauthier not even speak with the new management? I can understand if he heard Briere and Jones out and then still didn’t want to sign but just refusing to hear them out just comes across as childish.
- Schmojo

I don’t think it matters who was in charge.

I don't believe that his agent told the Flyers that. It was after the fact that the Flyers learned he didn't want to play for them. It's happened quite a few times with undrafted UFA's where they made it a condition of signing that they play at the end of the year and burn off a year of their ELC to get them closer to that second contract.
- MJL

I understand, but how many GMs offered that to top 10 college draftees? Offering it to free agents coming out of college is an accepted practice. Offering that to top 10 picks might set a precedent the league does not want- and yes I am theorizing something that could be construed as collusion.

https://twitter.com/BroadStHockey/status/1744871092429172815?t=oc4p0kV9fY3Dr7TNNnexUA&s=19

Yup, we are in the bizarro world now.
- Trox88

Copout. It was so private, they were unwilling to share with the team that brought you into the league.

I don’t think it matters who was in charge.
- roenick97

If that’s true, then the speculation of the contract as the issue would be incorrect. And that was the least ridiculous reason I’ve seen speculated.

I understand, but how many GMs offered that to top 10 college draftees? Offering it to free agents coming out of college is an accepted practice. Offering that to top 10 picks might set a precedent the league does not want- and yes I am theorizing something that could be construed as collusion.
- Trox88

I don't know the numbers on that. It's happened with quite a few players. Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Luke Hughes to name a few.

“It’s a private issue between the player and his family,” Overhardt told TSN’s Pierre Lebrun. “We definitely had conversations with Philadelphia, we had very respectable conversations with Philadelphia about it, we’ve chosen just to take the high road and leave all that information private.”
- furio16

This just screams that it’s a BS reason. Briere and Jones are highly respected around the league, evidence by this not leaking. Also, the fact they tried to protect this kid shows that they treated him with a lot more respect than he showed them.

I honestly believe, Briere and Jones have enough class that he could have given them an explanation and they would keep it private if he asked.

I don't know the numbers on that. It's happened with quite a few players. Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Luke Hughes to name a few.
- MJL

So if that's the precedent and the issue, then I do not understand why Gauthier's side would come out with a statement of being "a private family matter". They have the opportunity to make the Flyers look cheap and Cutter only asked what was already offered in the past. Makes me believe that this was not the case.

I understand, but how many GMs offered that to top 10 college draftees? Offering it to free agents coming out of college is an accepted practice. Offering that to top 10 picks might set a precedent the league does not want- and yes I am theorizing something that could be construed as collusion.
- Trox88

I thought it was quite common to be honest.

So if that's the precedent and the issue, then I do not understand why Gauthier's side would come out with a statement of being "a private family matter". They have the opportunity to make the Flyers look cheap and Cutter only asked what was already offered in the past. Makes me believe that this was not the case.
- Trox88

I can understand that. There isn't anything to be gained by that by Gauthier. Why would he want to get into a war of words now. He just wants to play hockey and move on. His agents job is to protect his client.

I thought it was quite common to be honest.
- TheFreak

I believe you are correct.

I can understand that. There isn't anything to be gained by that by Gauthier. Why would he want to get into a war of words now. He just wants to play hockey and move on. His agents job is to protect his client.
- MJL

Well, I'll disagree this is the route to protect his client. But hey, I'm certainly ready to move on and see if Drysdale can become a #1 Dman- I find that very exciting. He has all the tools