What about the question?
- MJL

I answered the question.

again, I have to agree 100% .. the Flyers did nothing wrong here. This is all on Gauthier and his lack of character.
- jd250

has anyone said the flyers did anything wrong?

He had, by the Flyers own admission, clearly stated he did not want to be a Flyer. That is the same thing.

The Flyers did not accept that message. They wanted to know why. None of their business why. They pestered him by sending high profile players directly to him, instead of to their agent, who was almost certainly handling all his communications and who was extremely unlikely to be in attendance at a random BC game.

The longer this goes on, the more things drag. What if I do this? What if I offer you that?

It is like breaking up with an ex. However unintuitive it is, once your decision is final, a break is a break and the best way to implement it is by a complete and total separation of communication.
- PT21

LOL
The flyers should want to know why, so they can try things different should the situation arise again. And he wanted to be a flyer at one point, what changed

I answered the question.
- Minnyhock

You answered why 99.9% or whatever of players don't do what Gauthier did? I think the question overall is being avoided is because when it's answered. It tells what the right side is here.

Agreed. I thought this sentence was some savy penmanship. The worst I can conjure is that they saying we were promised something and it didn’t happen but we’re too big to talk about it.
- coffee junkie

My take is what the term 'high road' refers to is about the future, not the past. They will not descend into trading barbs about what really happened, who is to blame etc.

Note that the agent was very emphatic in pointing out it had nothing to do with Torts. Why? Because he wants to make clear this has nothing to do with his client's hockey value. It does not mean he is a malcontent who will be hard to deal with for future coaches.

I know many of you disagree, and I respect your take, but I thought the agent and CG did a masterful job here. It should be noted that CG did a great job in the WJC, which in turn raised his value, which means the Flyers got a lot for him.

He didn't screw over the Flyers in the past. With his silence, he is not screwing them over now either. Let the Flyers do their shtick for their fans. Don't contradict them, concentrate on the future.

"The family is taking the high road by keeping it private."


This statement bothers me. And it is the reason why I want to know the reason why. Because to me, short of the FO stating they wanted to run a train on Quitters mother, I cant imagine what "high road" they could be taking that drove this kid to cut off all communication with the organization and say he wasn't playing there.

So please, tell us what high road you are travelling so we can rightfully rip our own organization for doing something that would lead to this. And it had better be a pretty high road....
- MBFlyerfan

once he signs his nhl deal is when he may talk. No need to do it until then.

once he signs his nhl deal is when he may talk. No need to do it until then.
- hello it's me 2050

That is most likely what will happen...IF he ever talks at all.

LOL
The flyers should want to know why, so they can try things different should the situation arise again. And he wanted to be a flyer at one point, what changed
- bradster

What if the reasons are more structural, or too many, so relatively unchangeable?

What if he believes that the Flyers organization is poorly run, and they are not on a viable track to rise to the upper echelons?

Tell me, what is his benefit from saying this? If you left an employer, would you say this? And be branded a know-all brat who is over-critical at 19? If you were staying in the same field of work your employer was one of 32 players in?

Kimmo Timonen to me is the standard. One I’m not so sure Drysdale could reach because Kimmo could do it all. So far I’ve heard Drysdale has great offensive instincts but little is said about his own end. I do expect him to have a more balanced game than Ghost or Provorov.

What I don't want is for Jamie Drysdale to become Kris Letang. Now I know at least 2 guys on here will be itching to call me an idiot, he has 3 cups, we'd be lucky if Drysdale became that good, etc. I just don't like Kris Letang. Brad Marchand undressed Letang in the middle of Boston garden last week and pointed at his little nuts after a goal and I was so happy. I hate that guy and I’m not a fan of his game.
- roenick97

He probably won't ever reach Kimmo level. So very few players do. The potential is there tho, both ways. He was already getting pretty tough usage in Anaheim and mostly holding his own. Of course there is plenty of room for improvement.

He's actually on record saying he patterns his game after Morgan Rielly. If he even reaches Rielly level the Flyers would have to count themselves very fortunate.

My take is what the term 'high road' refers to is about the future, not the past. They will not descend into trading barbs about what really happened, who is to blame etc.

Note that the agent was very emphatic in pointing out it had nothing to do with Torts. Why? Because he wants to make clear this has nothing to do with his client's hockey value. It does not mean he is a malcontent who will be hard to deal with for future coaches.


- PT21

When exactly did Gauthier's agent make this statement concerning Tortorella?

To my knowledge, this is the only statement his agent made.

"“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 is most likely what will happen...IF he ever talks at all.
- MBFlyerfan

depends on if this is the end of it or if the flyers leak out anything. Then he may want to respond in time

There is much more to it imo than just the contract thing or other scenarios being discussed. If there isnt then def an odd choice on his part.

The rookie GM and style of play that Freidman mentioned is interesting. Wonder the back story on the GM part.

When exactly did Gauthier's agent make this statement concerning Tortorella?

To my knowledge, this is the only statement his agent made.

"“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.”
- MJL

it was made cliff, google my man

I know this is a silly way to be, but part of me feels really betrayed after rooting for Cutter at the WJC's thinking he was going to be with us in the near future. I feel like a schmuck who got cheated on. Especially now in hindsight after hearing that the ship had sailed long before the tourney even started.

- MBFlyerfan

same. i was literally saying to my wife the whole tourney "that's our guy!"

i feel betrayed lol

oh well, Drysdale is here and it makes me want to buy his jersey now.

or get a custom Flyers jersey, put #19 on it and have the name "Hole In The Wall"

When exactly did Gauthier's agent make this statement concerning Tortorella?
- MJL

Pierre LeBrun:

The other thing, too, is there's been speculation that maybe [Flyers head coach] John Tortorella, for whatever reason, is the reason that maybe he didn't want to play for him. I asked Kurt Overhardt that and Overhardt vehemently denied that Tortorella had any bearing on this decision, but again said it's a private matter.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/nh...adelphia-flyers-1.2060280

He probably won't ever reach Kimmo level. So very few players do. The potential is there tho, both ways. He was already getting pretty tough usage in Anaheim and mostly holding his own. Of course there is plenty of room for improvement.

He's actually on record saying he patterns his game after Morgan Rielly. If he even reaches Rielly level the Flyers would have to count themselves very fortunate.
- Tomahawk

Kimmo was a very good at playing defense. That has never been Don's forte. Doesn't have to be if he offers elite offensive skills. Just let him play and work with him obviously.

Some important factors here. The Flyers did try and ask for a meeting. Apparently numerous times and the Gauthier camp would not respond and cut off all communication after the junior World Championship in 2023. Jones and Briere wen to Sweden out of desperation to try and talk to the player.

I'm going to ask you the same question I've asked a number of other posters and they don't seem to want to answer. Why do 99.9% of players who are good enough to get offered a contract, sign with the team that drafted them? If it is a business and it's well within their rights not to sign, why don't we see many players taking this option? Why do players clearly seem to feel obligated to sign with the team that drafted them?
- MJL

Other players can do what they want, and Gauthier did what he wanted and forced a trade away from the Flyers. Other players sign their contract because they want to, not because they have to. It is their decision, and the lore of cash can make many say it's good. Some see the draft team as a stepping stone to were they want to be, some really like the team. Some just want to start their careers. Every case is different, and it's why I don't understand what other players signing their ELC's has to do with Gauthier not wanting to sign with the Flyers. Gauthier had a falling out with the team management, told them 8 months ago he would not sign, and wouldn't be a Flyer. May be the agent had already told them they weren't interested in any further talks. YOU DON"T KNOW what was and wasn't said.

You answered why 99.9% or whatever of players don't do what Gauthier did? I think the question overall is being avoided is because when it's answered. It tells what the right side is here.
- MJL

I answered for the .1% because that is what is material here. You and I are not that far apart here. Last thread I said that I wasn’t making a judgment on the morality, ethics,duty,etc of it. I’m only saying that it his right. Why do you think the owners and Bettman don’t want to fix it?

What if the reasons are more structural, or too many, so relatively unchangeable?

What if he believes that the Flyers organization is poorly run, and they are not on a viable track to rise to the upper echelons?

Tell me, what is his benefit from saying this? If you left an employer, would you say this? And be branded a know-all brat who is over-critical at 19? If you were staying in the same field of work your employer was one of 32 players in?
- PT21

There are numerous high level sources that have told us that is not about any of that. Not about how the Flyers are run. Gauthier was drafted in July of 2022. In April of 2023, he was willing to sign an ELC with the Flyers. There is 8 months to research and come to an opinion on how the Flyers are run. After the Flyers turned him down on signing that ELC in April of 23 and sometime before May of 23 when the World Championships are going on, is when Gauthier decided not to want to play with the Flyers. Do the math, what was the cause?

I answered for the .1% because that is what is material here. You and I are not that far apart here. Last thread I said that I wasn’t making a judgment on the morality, ethics,duty,etc of it. I’m only saying that it his right. Why do you think the owners and Bettman don’t want to fix it?
- Minnyhock

Who says they don't want to fix it? There is a CBA and a NHLPA. Transfer agreements with leagues. I think that the other 99.9%of the players dutifully feel an obligation to sign with the team that drafted them, is what is material.

When exactly did Gauthier's agent make this statement concerning Tortorella?

To my knowledge, this is the only statement his agent made.

"“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.”
- MJL

It was made yesterday and also posted by me yesterday.

There are numerous high level sources that have told us that is not about any of that. Not about how the Flyers are run. Gauthier was drafted in July of 2022. In April of 2023, he was willing to sign an ELC with the Flyers. There is 8 months to research and come to an opinion on how the Flyers are run. After the Flyers turned him down on signing that ELC in April of 23 and sometime before May of 23 when the World Championships are going on, is when Gauthier decided not to want to play with the Flyers. Do the math, what was the cause?
- MJL

cliff stfu bring a new topic to the table. Tell us what you would re-sign wallker and seeler for.

There are numerous high level sources that have told us that is not about any of that. Not about how the Flyers are run. Gauthier was drafted in July of 2022. In April of 2023, he was willing to sign an ELC with the Flyers. There is 8 months to research and come to an opinion on how the Flyers are run. After the Flyers turned him down on signing that ELC in April of 23 and sometime before May of 23 when the World Championships are going on, is when Gauthier decided not to want to play with the Flyers. Do the math, what was the cause?
- MJL

heard Ronald hextal was coming back to the organization.

Who says they don't want to fix it? There is a CBA and a NHLPA. Transfer agreements with leagues. I think that the other 99.9%of the players dutifully feel an obligation to sign with the team that drafted them, is what is material.
- MJL

lets see if that now changes. I bet it does a little bit.

https://thebeaverton.com/...hair-salary-cap-analysis/

Hahaha

When exactly did Gauthier's agent make this statement concerning Tortorella?

To my knowledge, this is the only statement his agent made.

"“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.”
- MJL

In the same interview he stressed it had nothing to do with the coach.

From TSN:

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/in...-flyers-1.2060280?tsn-amp

And Overhardt went on to say that, you know, he's happy, that it's a good trade for both teams and that everyone can move on. I guess. Although, I can tell you also that in talking to Flyers GM, Daniel Briere, on this day, that even after the trade was done, Daniel Briere and the Flyers still do not have an answer as to why Cutter Gauthier didn't want to sign, didn't want to speak with them in the final few months. The other thing, too, is there's been speculation that maybe [Flyers head coach] John Tortorella, for whatever reason, is the reason that maybe he didn't want to play for him. I asked Kurt Overhardt that and Overhardt vehemently denied that Tortorella had any bearing on this decision, but again said it's a private matter.