Anaheim Ducks September Series: 2024-25 Expectations for Cutter Gauthier – Hockey Writers – Ducks Prospects

Cutter Gauthier arrived in Anaheim under unusual circumstances. He was one of the most notable players in recent memory to refuse to play for the team that drafted him, the Philadelphia Flyers. He forced their hand, and according to him, there is no need or we will not know why. This split between player and organization put one of the most talented prospects in the entire National Hockey League on the trade market and the Ducks were loaded with talent that could entice the Flyers to make a trade. He was coming off a World Junior Championship performance (two goals, 10 assists in seven games) and was in the middle of a career season at Boston College. The cost? Jamie Drysdale, in a rare “one-on-one hockey trade.”

In 2020, former general manager (GM) Bob Murray drafted Drysdale, whose path to finding his potential as a top defensive back has been rocky, at best. Pat Verbeek, today's Ducks' GM, hung Drysdale out there to jump on a rare high-scoring opportunity and fill a hole in the Ducks' roster that hadn't been there since the early days of Corey Perry. Gauthier understands the task ahead of him and is ready for his rookie season in Anaheim, so let's set some expectations.

Gauthier's On- and Off-ice Headlines Bring Attention to Anaheim

It takes a special dose of swagger and bravado to publicly refuse to play for anyone, let alone a franchise in Philadelphia coached by John Tortorella. Understandably, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Most people who feel that way won't say it. Gauthier did and brought him to Anaheim. It should make the appearance of the Philadelphia Ducks interesting this season, to say the least. He exudes confidence, which he has built up through impressive runs on the international and NCAA circuits.

In two World Junior Championships with the United States, he collected six goals and 16 assists in 14 games, and was even more impressive at the 2024 tournament, where he led the tournament in scoring en route to a gold medal. His NCAA career wasn't all that great as he racked up eye-popping stats in two seasons with the Boston College Eagles – 73 games, 54 goals, 48 ​​assists. He had 38 of those goals in his sophomore season in 2023-24, which set a Boston College record. He was a key part of the program's run to the Frozen Four National Championship game. Despite Gauthier's confidence before the game, he and his team fell short, but that doesn't take away from his incredible run, and it doesn't cast doubt on his ability to produce at the NHL level. This kid is the real deal, and he showed some of that in his NHL debut.

Impressive NHL Offers Promise

Gauthier signed with the Ducks following Boston College's deep run in the Frozen Four, just as he made his NHL debut in the Ducks' final game of the season, a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights. He got a chance to skate with Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson, and collected his first point, an assist, in just his third season of NHL action. Right off the bat, he has shown the ability to compete, get involved in the offense. That thought stayed with him throughout the season and the recent Rookie Faceoff. When asked about the muscle he added in the offseason, he said, “I didn't want to come into the league and get thrown around by all these great defensemen they have in the NHL now.” The Ducks will benefit greatly from this competition and urgency as they work their way into Anaheim's youngest but most talented frontcourt.

Gauthier an An Important Part of the Young Core

We've discussed the deep talent ducks have ad nauseam. At some point, someone will have to start delivering in a way that leads to winning. The Drysdale/Gauthier swap was the first of what would be many examples of how not all of the Ducks' small pieces are part of the organization's future. Beckett Sennecke may be a few years away, but he is another player who can put pressure on the young forwards. Every major tournament should be exciting to watch in the coming seasons. Gauthier, however, is here to stay, and it's easy to understand why: he fills a need that no other player in the Ducks' system currently has. Quite simply, he scores a lot of goals. And he will score a lot of goals for this team.

Related: Ducks September Series: 2024–25 Expectations for Leo Carlsson

Terry is the Ducks' most powerful complement at the moment, and oftentimes the most dangerous player on the ice. That will continue, but you need help. Another finisher like him will take the pressure off, give key facilitators like Carlsson and Trevor Zegras more options, and give opposing defenses more to worry about. It's really a shame to get rich for the newly dressed Ducks, who will now add Carlsson, Zegras, Terry, Mason McTavish, Frank Vatrano, Alex Killorn, Robby Fabbri, and Gauthier to their front three.

Gauthier is one of the few legitimate challengers to 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie. Surrounded by playmakers on both offense and defense, Gauthier will have ample opportunity to develop quickly. If he starts playing alongside Terry and Carlsson, he will likely look to their side as the preseason continues. If head coach Greg Cronin chooses to pair a playmaker with a finisher, perhaps he and Zegras make sense. He fits well on his strong wing on the power play, opposite Terry. He, too, has size (6-foot-2) and can slide.

It's important to note that most players don't make it out of the gates. Some do, some don't. It takes time to adjust to the rigors of a long, physical, 82-game schedule. It might happen to Gauthier, but he has the tools, and the environment, to overcome it, and that's what I would expect. He should be one of the most exciting players to watch this season for the Ducks; look for him to capitalize on Carlsson, Terry, and others and produce a 15-20 goal, 35-40 point rookie season.