What is going on with Cutter Gauthier and the Anaheim Ducks after he turned down a big offer?
NHL Network: On what is going with the Anaheim Ducks and RFA forward Cutter Gauthier. The Ducks need to move out some salary to fit him in. Could he take a little less since he’s been a good fit in Anaheim?
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Tony Luftman: ” Cutter Gauthier and the Ducks will they agree on a contract, Rupper? We got that report that he turned down a contract from the Ducks with a $13 million AAV. Leo Carlsson, we know about the offer sheet that was matched, and we know that Gauthier’s numbers last year statistically were better than Leo’s. What do you think?”
Mike Johnson: “That’s a big number to turn down. Especially if it’s on a short-term deal.”
Mike Rupp: “Yeah.”
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Johnson: “On an eight-year deal, that’s that’s probably not. But like on a shorter-term deal.”
Rupp: “Yeah. I mean, it’s, it’s an interesting situation. Like, yes, something’s going to get done. Now, what it is, we don’t know. I can’t. I cannot imagine them not getting the deal done and trading Cutter Gauthier. Like, I just don’t even think that’s plausible. I don’t think that’s crossed their mind. They will figure out what to do here.
Now, what is the trickle-down effect? Like, this is a team that we’ve kind of talked about. Does that mean no Chris Krieder? Is that Alex Killorn? Is that, you know, you got (Frank) Vatrano? (Mikael) Granlund? Both got two years left on their, on their contract. So that makes a little bit sticky.
But you’re already talking about a team that took such a significant step. They’ve already lost so much veteran experience on the back end. Now all of a sudden, you might be losing more on the front end just to fit these two stars in. But you have to because you can’t find stars everywhere, and they’ve got to there in Carlsson and Gauthier.”
Johnson: “I think they get a contract, it’s going to be like four or $5 million more than they anticipated or were planning on paying Gauthier because of the Carlsson factor. And I know Cutter Gauthier, and I say this as a compliment all the time, he’s a guy who will fight for what he thinks he deserves, and that is a great quality to have. You don’t have to take a discount for anything. You don’t do anything for your team. Take care of yourself. Totally fine. Teammates will have no problem with it.
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But there’s also something to be said about being in a good situation. Not every situation works. But once you’ve been around, I guess Philly didn’t work for him. Anaheim certainly has, and maybe not taking massively less, but understanding, you know what, getting something done in a place that you’re comfortable with. It’s a good system. You’ve got great linemates. You’ve got a coach who lets you do your thing. There’s value in that.
Because you can make a million dollars more elsewhere. Life is not better. Life is worse when you don’t have it working on the ice. So that’s the only other part of that conversation, which makes me think I think they’ll get a deal done at some point.”
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