The Anaheim Ducks agreed to a six-year contract with restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, the team announced Tuesday.
Gauthier’s deal is worth $81 million across six years, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. About $69.5 million of Gauthier’s deal is in signing bonuses, Friedman added.
The Ducks haven’t been afraid to spend big heading into the 2026-27 season, as they previously matched a five-year offer sheet worth $90 million to retain center Leo Carlsson in July. The $18 million average annual value of Carlsson’s deal represented a new NHL record.
Anaheim now has just over $2 million in 2026-27 cap space following Gauthier’s contract, via PuckPedia.
His $13.5 million cap hit is also tied with Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel for the No. 5 mark among all NHL players.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek was excited that an agreement was reached with Gauthier, keeping him with the organization through the 2031-32 season.
“We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time,” Verbeek said as part of Tuesday’s announcement. “He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player.”
Although Gauthier was still a restricted free agent as the preseason drew closer, there appeared to be momentum towards a new deal with Anaheim.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported Monday that there was “progress and substantive talks” between both sides in contract negotiations, as they were “determined to get it across the finish line.”
Gauthier has spent his entire NHL career with the Ducks, earning All-Rookie Team honors during the 2024-25 season before racking up 69 points in 76 games throughout his 2025-26 campaign.
Anaheim is looking to go on a deeper playoff run in 2027 after making a second-round appearance last season.