Ben Shelley: Ducks trade Jamie Drysdale to Flyers, acquire Cutter Gauthier

Great write up noting the positives and negatives for both sides.

I like the trade even if Cutter wanted to be a Flyer based on their needs, but it's a no brainer with him not wanting to come to Philly.

Biggest question is any reports if the Ducks contacted Cutter before pulling off the trade? I would think Cutter's camp would release something soon if they talked.

When is the last time a player who hadn't turned pro refused to play with the org. that drafted them? I can't remember it.

In subsequent news. Cutter already hit with delay of game penalty - Ducks start shorthanded against Preds -

I’m not sure about the trade -

Anyone who saw Jamie these last 2 weeks sees what we’re going to be missing - 1 man breakouts and leading the rush while finishing -

Also the ability to be deep in the offensive zone and easily get back.

Hope this kid is worth it -

When is the last time a player who hadn't turned pro refused to play with the org. that drafted them? I can't remember it.
- jfkst1

Lindros is the big one, but recently Fox, Wheeler, Hayes come to mind really quickly.

When is the last time a player who hadn't turned pro refused to play with the org. that drafted them? I can't remember it.
- jfkst1

Fox with the Flames

It has happened. Sounds like there was a fit but changes and maybe them pressuring to turn pro and skip NCAA plus the Torts effect soured him on the Flyers. From Verbeek's stayement sounds like they taljed and all is good and Ducks will wait till offseason to talk more with him.

A bit surprised moving Dry right now but its a good move for both teams I think. Only thing I question is why Verbeek tossed in the 2nd there.

Lindros is the big one, but recently Fox, Wheeler, Hayes come to mind really quickly.
- Glak18

Schultz, Marino too.

Fox with the Flames

It has happened. Sounds like there was a fit but changes and maybe them pressuring to turn pro and skip NCAA plus the Torts effect soured him on the Flyers. From Verbeek's stayement sounds like they taljed and all is good and Ducks will wait till offseason to talk more with him.

A bit surprised moving Dry right now but its a good move for both teams I think. Only thing I question is why Verbeek tossed in the 2nd there.
- Roadrunner75

I thought the 2nd was odd too and surprised it wasn't the other way around. I can only assume it's because of injuries, but if it wasn't for injuries I don't see the Ducks trading Drysdale away for Cutter 1 for 1.

Fox with the Flames

It has happened. Sounds like there was a fit but changes and maybe them pressuring to turn pro and skip NCAA plus the Torts effect soured him on the Flyers. From Verbeek's stayement sounds like they taljed and all is good and Ducks will wait till offseason to talk more with him.

A bit surprised moving Dry right now but its a good move for both teams I think. Only thing I question is why Verbeek tossed in the 2nd there.
- Roadrunner75

Was the 2nd due to a good world juniors performance increasing the perception of a budding war?

What a steal. Drysdale is a younger Neil Pionk, not a future Hall of Famer. Verbeek is a quiet genius.

When is the last time a player who hadn't turned pro refused to play with the org. that drafted them? I can't remember it.
- jfkst1

Hell, it's happened twice in Anaheim. Justin Schultz years ago and Henry Thrun this past season. There's a danger in drafting college kids. They have an out if they want one. Philly may be pissed with Cutter now, but at least they let him know his intentions before his senior year. Schultz waited until he was a free agent and said see ya! The Ducks got nothing for him.

Hope they talked cause it might not be just the flyers. He might want to be an ufa in a couple years and pick his team.

I've thought all along there was no way that Drysdale and Zellweger would play on the same roster. Goes against PV's basic philosophy of playing hard and heavy. This trade tells me two things:

1. Ducks think Luneau has a higher ceiling than Drysdale and his body type and game fits better with their style of play - even if they wind up sending him back to juniors for the rest of the season. Ducks will greatly miss Drysdale short-term but will be able to re-stock in this year's draft and through free agency if needed along with D assets they already have.
2. Ducks think Gauthier is as good as he looked in WJC and World Championships. Scott Wheeler at the Athletic has him as Anaheim's #1 prospect.

Drysdale could have a long/strong career in the NHL if he can stay healthy, but that's a BIG "if". I like this move - Ducks fill a huge gap in their prospect pool by trading a player who is replaceable (maybe not this year, but long-term) from available assets.

Well defenseman are at a premium right now. So I think for the next couple of years until Cutter Guenter develops, we are gonna get laughed at. It's so tricky to project development curves of players because they need so much to go right to succeed. But eventually if enough goes right it will happen for a player. Drysdale has had a real weird development path. Forced onto the roster as a 18 year old because of covid. Multiple injuries that he's has always bounced back from, but slowed his development. Lack of stability of a winning team. 2 different coaches. It's just ridiculous to say that Jamie Drysdale has hit his ceiling. I don't even think he's ever been used to his full potential as a rover like Quin Hughes. But Verbeek decided to give up on him. And Verbeek has shown alot of distrust of players he didn't draft. And I'd really like to see what he thinks of Cutter Guchier in more detail. Because I think we lost the overall trade value. We aren't in my opinion getting the best player , nor are the Ducks getting the best overall value. The Ducks are just getting a type of player they really need. A shooting winger. And after 2 or 3 games Drysdale plays Verbeek is gonna look real foolish. Most East coast fans no little about any Ducks players except for Zegras.But when they figure how good Jamie Drysdale is they be rael happy. So this is just going to be sad for us Ducks fans for a while. I mean why couldn't Verbeek get anybody who could help the Ducks right now. I mean what are the Ducks now. Are we just a farm team that other teams take advantage of to fill there rosters out. And It's OK to say that we couldn't hold on to every player. But this Ducks team needs more veteran players. The Ducks don't need more prospects or picks. Let's be something. Not just some farm team.

For now I’ll take the side of the team that got a known asset - 21 year old RHD with 123 NHL games and 45 points….over a 19 year old prospect yet to play an nhl game so far after his draft+1 year.

For now I’ll take the side of the team that got a known asset - 21 year old RHD with 123 NHL games and 45 points….over a 19 year old prospect yet to play an nhl game so far after his draft+1 year.
- Turnitaround

Easy choice. I'm just mad because it's just more development time. I've never seen a GM waste more time than Pat Verbeek. It's ridiculous how much he doesn't care about the fan base or winning. And the move is logical. But it's sends some many bad signals to the fans players and media that he just does not care about anybody else.

When is the last time a player who hadn't turned pro refused to play with the org. that drafted them? I can't remember it.
- jfkst1

Lindros and Peter Forsberg

Easy choice. I'm just mad because it's just more development time. I've never seen a GM waste more time than Pat Verbeek. It's ridiculous how much he doesn't care about the fan base or winning. And the move is logical. But it's sends some many bad signals to the fans players and media that he just does not care about anybody else.
- Eman87654

Haste makes waste, ala Toronto.
Verbeek is building a playoff contender that can make it to the finals and win. Be patient because these guys are going to make some noise once they are developed.

Haste makes waste, ala Toronto.
Verbeek is building a playoff contender that can make it to the finals and win. Be patient because these guys are going to make some noise once they are developed.
- optimus-reim

Isn't develpment the problem though. By the time every player develops properly they'll need big money contracts and we'll have to trade some of the players away because of salary cap problems. I mean young players are getting big contracts right after their ELC contracts are up. There's no wiggle room to wait. Waiting didn't help Winnipeg win a cup. Waiting hasn't helped Vancouver make the playoffs. Waiting hasn't helped Buffalo get to the playoffs. Waiting still hasn't fixed what's wrong with the Oilers. Sometimes you just gotta go. Like New Jersey, Los Angeles, Florida, Vegas, Seattle. You get enough overall talent. Then you push forward. You don't wait. Time just isn't on your side.
And what was wrong with Toronto was they they didn't have enough talent when they went for it. Like Sanin and Lildjgrin didn't develop fast enough. Every Morgan Reielly wasn't that ready when the Leafs did there playoffs runs in the beginning.

When most people think of waiting being good. They usually think of Tampa or Colorado. Tampa had to wait a real long time. They technically started waiting before Steven Stamkos was drafted. Around 15 years. 3 Gm changes. I think around 5 or 6 coaching changes. And in the end what changed things in Tampa was They started making trades. They actively added players and free agents to make the team better. Waiting got them mediocrity. Aggressively making trades improved the team and turned them into a contender.

Colorado is another one. They waited and waited. There rebuild started when Joe sacking retired. Matt Duchenne, Ryan Orielly were the air apparent. Average drafting ultimately held them back. Along with no tanking. Sakic didn't wait. He made moves. Then he stated waiting too. Nate McKinnon on favorable contract made the Stanley Cup possible. And even with all that time they manged 1 cup. Probably gonna have to.trade mikko rateenan before he gets to free agency. Hopefully someone hooks up Sakic with a good deal so Colorado can reload.
But my point is waiting is overrated. A Players prime years usually span about 6 to 8 years. Hard to justify waiting to long. Especially if you have to pay early In thier career.

Lindros and Peter Forsberg
- Hawk4life

The lindros situation was different. He told Quebec he won’t play for them before they drafted him and exactly why he won’t. They still chose him. I hate the flyers but good for him.

Isn't develpment the problem though. By the time every player develops properly they'll need big money contracts and we'll have to trade some of the players away because of salary cap problems. I mean young players are getting big contracts right after their ELC contracts are up. There's no wiggle room to wait. Waiting didn't help Winnipeg win a cup. Waiting hasn't helped Vancouver make the playoffs. Waiting hasn't helped Buffalo get to the playoffs. Waiting still hasn't fixed what's wrong with the Oilers. Sometimes you just gotta go. Like New Jersey, Los Angeles, Florida, Vegas, Seattle. You get enough overall talent. Then you push forward. You don't wait. Time just isn't on your side.
And what was wrong with Toronto was they they didn't have enough talent when they went for it. Like Sanin and Lildjgrin didn't develop fast enough. Every Morgan Reielly wasn't that ready when the Leafs did there playoffs runs in the beginning.
- Eman87654

Waiting is fruitless - guys are good to go now.. this is a young league getting younger. Skill rules -

We shoulda been in the mix for wild card this yr… injuries exposed our lack of depth and we are def missing that finishing wing - Love Terry but on a contender he’s a 2nd line RW at best -

We had the goalies - made 2 solid pickups in Gudas and the Boosh …

But adding that 6 mil stiff Killorn was a huge mistake - he’s a 4th line chode - esp as we were already carry that worn out Silf around - Verbeek again missed on adding a scoring Wing… Frankie last yr was real solid- Strome sucks -

Next yr we need to be in the mix easily for playoffs if we improve depth -

Would Anaheim do

Schneider, othmann, goodrow (have to in the trade) and 2 firsts (one for goodrow)…for

Zegras, Silfverberg, Urho Vaakaneinen (spelling? I have no idea lol). Maybe they could swing Gudas instead but idk

I thought it was something I’d run by you guys.

And I saw he got hurt, did they say how bad it is?

Would Anaheim do

Schneider, othmann, goodrow (have to in the trade) and 2 firsts (one for goodrow)…for

Zegras, Silfverberg, Urho Vaakaneinen (spelling? I have no idea lol). Maybe they could swing Gudas instead but idk

I thought it was something I’d run by you guys.

And I saw he got hurt, did they say how bad it is?
- Slimtj100

Said Zegras would miss significant time. So he's probably going on the IR. And Honestly I don't have any clue what Verbeek is doing. The Ducks are a little chaotic right now so it wouldn't surprise me if Verbeek is done making moves. You know just let things settle down. And the team itself is showing improvement in their overall team play and structure. Even Cronin is throwing in a few different game plans and producing some results. So we'll see. These last 2 games the Ducks player were good in my mind. They just played better as a team.

Said Zegras would miss significant time. So he's probably going on the IR. And Honestly I don't have any clue what Verbeek is doing. The Ducks are a little chaotic right now so it wouldn't surprise me if Verbeek is done making moves. You know just let things settle down. And the team itself is showing improvement in their overall team play and structure. Even Cronin is throwing in a few different game plans and producing some results. So we'll see. These last 2 games the Ducks player were good in my mind. They just played better as a team.
- Eman87654

alright 😔kills my idea lol thought it had some legs. Maybe the off season tho. Thing is Chytil is such a question mark for us right now. Head injuries have plagued him. We need a center pretty desperately

Would they do Gudas and Lundestrom, or perhaps Henrique, for Schneider? Salaries tho I dont know if they could take on both of them. I think they can afford trading Schneider as a part of something, so long as they get a dman back. Gudas being older and would definitely help us be harder to play against

Was thinking since they traded Drysdale the need for a RHD replacement could be there for them