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.
- TheFreak

Why do they want to? Based on the evidence, 99.9% and I use that number as an example, want to. See all positives and sign with the team that drafted them. A player like Connor Bedard, he is going to get the same exact contract regardless of what team drafts him. Why didn't he say, screw this, I don't want to play for a crap Chicago team. I want to play for Colorado or another team where I have an immediate chance to win the cup. Why doesn't this happen? Why does what Gauthier did rarely happen?

It seems like he would have found himself tangled up in negotiations which he did not want to have. One side did not want to let go, and would not accept no. That side wasn't him.

If he was so immature, entitled etc, it would show up in other aspects of his professional performance. One franchise would not have bent over backwards to attain him, and given back something pretty close to his value.

I am sorry, we have a different take on this. As more comes out, I see absolutely nothing unprofessional or immature about this kid's behavior. Just hardassed negotiations.

On the contrary, actually. While going through this in complete secrecy, he won WJC best forward. He can handle pressure. That will be what other bidders for his services will take away from this.
- PT21

who bent over backwards?
Why doesnt every kid do this that gets drafted if its no big deal and totally professional?
you think its professional to ghost a team that wants to talk.....we have totally different meanings of being a pro then

Why do they want to? Based on the evidence, 99.9% and I use that number as an example, want to. See all positives and sign with the team that drafted them. A player like Connor Bedard, he is going to get the same exact contract regardless of what team drafts him. Why didn't he say, screw this, I don't want to play for a crap Chicago team. I want to play for Colorado or another team where I have an immediate chance to win the cup. Why doesn't this happen? Why does what Gauthier did rarely happen?
- MJL

that is how they are programmed. Just takes 1 to buck the system then see what follows.

Why do they want to? Based on the evidence, 99.9% and I use that number as an example, want to. See all positives and sign with the team that drafted them. A player like Connor Bedard, he is going to get the same exact contract regardless of what team drafts him. Why didn't he say, screw this, I don't want to play for a crap Chicago team. I want to play for Colorado or another team where I have an immediate chance to win the cup. Why doesn't this happen? Why does what Gauthier did rarely happen?
- MJL

Personal choice, and one has no bearing on the other.

So let me ask you this...the Flyers draft 7 guys each year..or so that is how it starts out. They have now decided to take the players rights, and hold them for the minimum amount of time..yet they never sign the whole draft class, sometime letting them flap in the wind until they hit ufa, and were never offered a contract. Why is ok to draft their rights, and not progress from there? Because they don't have to sign every player, and choose who they want to keep. The players also have the option. They can sign, or wait to be moved. It is a 2 way street.

Why do they want to? Based on the evidence, 99.9% and I use that number as an example, want to. See all positives and sign with the team that drafted them. A player like Connor Bedard, he is going to get the same exact contract regardless of what team drafts him. Why didn't he say, screw this, I don't want to play for a crap Chicago team. I want to play for Colorado or another team where I have an immediate chance to win the cup. Why doesn't this happen? Why does what Gauthier did rarely happen?
- MJL

If you actually stopped to think for a few seconds, instead of splattering the board with your error filled posts like a demented cockatoo, the why would be apparent, and it would not stem from duty.

If it were indeed duty, obligation, character etc, then why would many of the same players do the reverse and hold out, not report for camp, ask to be traded, etc. etc. later on in their careers? It is because by then, they are more established and surer of themselves.

Translation: they suck it up because they don't dare buck the system as junior employees. One guy bucked it. That doesn't mean only one guy wanted to buck it.

Personal choice, and one has no bearing on the other.
- TheFreak

Again, why do 99.9% of the players who are good enough to earn a contract, make the same personal choice to sign with the team that drafted them. Why do so few make the opposite choice? For obvious reasons why. Those answers put you on the right side of this.

"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

It’s not taking the high road. That doesn’t even make sense.

The majority of informed fans would've seen right through that. It is well regarded that the Flyers gave up the player with the biggest upside and that would not adequately explain why the move was made.
- MJL

I'll take your word on Quitter having the bigger upside because I just don't know but getting a potential high end D man is the harder task.

who bent over backwards?
Why doesnt every kid do this that gets drafted if its no big deal and totally professional?
you think its professional to ghost a team that wants to talk.....we have totally different meanings of being a pro then
- bradster

There are multiple reports Verbeek desperately wanted Gauthier and threw in the 2nd to sweeten the pot.

They talked. One side wanted to continue to talk. You seem to think the other side needs to honor their desire because of professional obligations. I don't.

It's ok. Agree to disagree.

It’s not taking the high road. That doesn’t even make sense.
- roenick97

Umm yeah, hence my whole premise...

Again, why do 99.9% of the players who are good enough to earn a contract, make the same personal choice to sign with the team that drafted them. Why do so few make the opposite choice? For obvious reasons why. Those answers put you on the right side of this.
- MJL

Again..because they choose to...why is this so hard for you to understand. It doesn't matter what the NYR prospects do. They can choose to do what they want to do. Gauthier decided he didn't want to play in Philly. It's his right. His choice is not wrong if that is what he wanted.

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

I speculated earlier that some GMs probably would like it fixed and some not. Is there any evidence that they’re trying to fix it? I haven’t heard anything publicly about it. Have any GMs or their mouthpiece commented in the last 24 hours? The .1% is the issue here because their noncompliance is driving the discussion and hand wringing.

It’s not taking the high road. That doesn’t even make sense.
- roenick97

Maybe they have nothing nice to say about their experience with the Flyers brass, and instead of engaging in a verbal conflict have decided to just move on.

If you actually stopped to think for a few seconds, instead of splattering the board with your error filled posts like a demented cockatoo, the why would be apparent, and it would not stem from duty.


- PT21

The factual errors that you have made are numerous. Highlighted by your statement that there was nothing to gain by Gauthier meeting with the Flyers. I corrected that statement with the obvious of the millions that Gauthier lost by not signing with the Flyers this past season.

You know PT, you often flaunted your education and labeled yourself a scholar. There is one thing that all of your obviously wasted education didn't give you. Wisdom. You will never have that.

If it were indeed duty, obligation, character etc, then why would many of the same players do the reverse and hold out, not report for camp, ask to be traded, etc. etc. later on in their careers? It is because by then, they are more established and surer of themselves.


- PT21

Players rarely hold out and not report to training camp. When they do, it's normally because they simply haven't come to a contract agreement yet. How is that the same as telling a team that they won't sign a contract with you and they want to be traded? This is an example of your lack of wisdom.

Translation: they suck it up because they don't dare buck the system as junior employees. One guy bucked it. That doesn't mean only one guy wanted to buck it.
- PT21

They don't suck it up. They consider it an honor to play in the NHL. They consider it a privilege and integrity and honor dictates that they follow the process that the league has in place. That mandates that you play for the team that drafted you. That's why 99.9% of the players who HAVE THE RIGHT to not sign and force a trade. Don't exercise that right. For the good of the game.

Again..because they choose to...why is this so hard for you to understand. It doesn't matter what the NYR prospects do. They can choose to do what they want to do. Gauthier decided he didn't want to play in Philly. It's his right. His choice is not wrong if that is what he wanted.
- TheFreak

Why is it so hard for you to understand that I'm exploring why they choose to! LOL They all can choose to do what they want to. They all can choose to not play for the team that drafted them but they don't do that. Why? Your answer is because they choose to. Real inquisitive and in-depth.

It’s a low occurrence event for sure. I trust his agent laid out all the pros and cons and consequences of taking this path. Yet he took this path. Some folks see things differently.
- Minnyhock

I think the Flyers let Gauthier off very easy, no matter what he put them through. Briere made a great deal but I still want this kid to fall on his face.

Again..because they choose to...why is this so hard for you to understand. It doesn't matter what the NYR prospects do. They can choose to do what they want to do. Gauthier decided he didn't want to play in Philly. It's his right. His choice is not wrong if that is what he wanted.
- TheFreak

His choice is wrong. Why bother having a draft of any young player should have the right to say no to playing where they were drafted.

I speculated earlier that some GMs probably would like it fixed and some not. Is there any evidence that they’re trying to fix it? I haven’t heard anything publicly about it. Have any GMs or their mouthpiece commented in the last 24 hours? The .1% is the issue here because their noncompliance is driving the discussion and hand wringing.
- Minnyhock

When you're trying to come to a conclusion about what is right and what is wrong. I think it's safe to say to look at what the overwhelming majority of players do, to know what is right.

The factual errors that you have made are numerous. Highlighted by your statement that there was nothing to gain by Gauthier meeting with the Flyers. I corrected that statement with the obvious of the millions that Gauthier lost by not signing with the Flyers this past season.

You know PT, you often flaunted your education and labeled yourself a scholar. There is one thing that all of your obviously wasted education didn't give you. Wisdom. You will never have that.




Players rarely hold out and not report to training camp. When they do, it's normally because they simply haven't come to a contract agreement yet. How is that the same as telling a team that they won't sign a contract with you and they want to be traded? This is an example of your lack of wisdom.




They don't suck it up. They consider it an honor to play in the NHL. They consider it a privilege and integrity and honor dictates that they follow the process that the league has in place. That mandates that you play for the team that drafted you. That's why 99.9% of the players who HAVE THE RIGHT to not sign and force a trade. Don't exercise that right. For the good of the game.
- MJL

kid gloves are officially off.

... blather snipped ...

They don't suck it up. They consider it an honor to play in the NHL. They consider it a privilege and integrity and honor dictates that they follow the process that the league has in place. That mandates that you play for the team that drafted you. That's why 99.9% of the players who HAVE THE RIGHT to not sign and force a trade. Don't exercise that right. For the good of the game.
- MJL

Riiight.

And just a few years later, that sense of honor, integrity, and privilege dissipates, and they start holding out for their bridge/standard contracts.

Ok cretin, I am done with you here.

Again..because they choose to...why is this so hard for you to understand. It doesn't matter what the NYR prospects do. They can choose to do what they want to do. Gauthier decided he didn't want to play in Philly. It's his right. His choice is not wrong if that is what he wanted.
- TheFreak

I think the outrage is more around the fact that he put himself above the team, the league, and hockey. By choosing where he wants to play it makes the draft less impactful and makes it harder to get parity in the league. Hockey players are traditionally seen as being above such selfish interests. The "work hard, prove you are worth it" mentality is one that follows this sport and why many fans follow it. I think that there is a delicate line to walk here between a self entitled player who has proven nothing at the NHL level and ensuring talent is drawn to play in the NHL and not another sport.
As a Flyers fan it's a slap in the face that I feel is undeserved and disrespectful. And it does show his character. Some seem to think that being cut throat and not having any ethics is ok and only "business". That may be where the biggest issue lies because those who love the game, who want to see it prosper don't disrespect those who are trying to make it better.

It’s not taking the high road. That doesn’t even make sense.
- roenick97

Actually the most plausible explanation is that there is no high road and the agent is protecting his client from further public relation damage. It’s a cover to politely say “no comment” while hiding behind a curtain of secrecy because the truth would likely damage the kid’s character further than it’s already been damaged. I would imagine the agent was embarrassed by his client’s behavior but an agent’s duty is to do his client’s bidding.

Riiight.

And just a few years later, that sense of honor, integrity, and privilege dissipates, and they start holding out for their bridge/standard contracts.
.
- PT21

They don't hold out! That rarely happens. LOL. You should be done. Again, even if they do hold out, they're not saying I refuse to play for you or refuse to talk to you! Without wisdom, you can't see the difference.

Blather snipped.

I think the outrage is more around the fact that he put himself above the team, the league, and hockey. By choosing where he wants to play it makes the draft less impactful and makes it harder to get parity in the league. Hockey players are traditionally seen as being above such selfish interests. The "work hard, prove you are worth it" mentality is one that follows this sport and why many fans follow it. I think that there is a delicate line to walk here between a self entitled player who has proven nothing at the NHL level and ensuring talent is drawn to play in the NHL and not another sport.
As a Flyers fan it's a slap in the face that I feel is undeserved and disrespectful. And it does show his character. Some seem to think that being cut throat and not having any ethics is ok and only "business". That may be where the biggest issue lies because those who love the game, who want to see it prosper don't disrespect those who are trying to make it better.
- FlyersGrace

Well said!

I think the outrage is more around the fact that he put himself above the team, the league, and hockey. By choosing where he wants to play it makes the draft less impactful and makes it harder to get parity in the league. Hockey players are traditionally seen as being above such selfish interests. The "work hard, prove you are worth it" mentality is one that follows this sport and why many fans follow it. I think that there is a delicate line to walk here between a self entitled player who has proven nothing at the NHL level and ensuring talent is drawn to play in the NHL and not another sport.
As a Flyers fan it's a slap in the face that I feel is undeserved and disrespectful. And it does show his character. Some seem to think that being cut throat and not having any ethics is ok and only "business". That may be where the biggest issue lies because those who love the game, who want to see it prosper don't disrespect those who are trying to make it better.
- FlyersGrace

You are right. But that is a great big carefully manicured facade. I don't fully understand how or why it originated. Probably a relic of bygone times.

It is almost universally violated where it counts though.How many players have ever taken a home town discount? How often do you not see players have tremendous seasons in contract years?