The Philadelphia Flyers have traded Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale. It was a trade that caught the hockey world off guard on Monday night, and almost immediately it was learned that the trade took place because Gauthier had no interest in being a Flyer. He apparently told the Flyers at the draft he wanted to play for them, then shockingly changed his mind without explanation.

From there, following a series actions when he refused to talk to Flyers’ executives and making it clear he had no intention to sign with the team, the Flyers felt it was best to move on. GM Daniel Briere had been working on the trade behind closed doors for some time. Eventually, after Gauthier had an amazing World Juniors showing, the Ducks stepped up and the deal was made.

Gauthier Has Upset a Ton of People in Philadelphia

As excited as the Flyers are to have Drysdale, there’s a bitter taste left in the mouths of many linked to the organization for the way this all came down. Gauthier, a young prospect who had yet to play an NHL game, now finds himself as enemy No. 1 in Philly — a city where it’s not ideal to bad on the fan’s bad side. The Flyers said they were doing their best to keep this quiet because they didn’t want to make it hard on Gauthier if he changed his mind again. Clearly, now that he’s gone, they aren’t keeping any of the information to themselves.

Flyers CEO Dan Hilferty expressed his sentiments, stating, “I feel bad for Cutter… well, I don’t really feel bad for Cutter when he comes to Philadelphia. It’s gonna be a rough ride here and he earned it. We’re Philadelphians, and we want people who want to be here with us.”

Keith Jones revealed that the Flyers had difficulties meeting with Gauthier during the World Juniors, leading them to make the trade while Gauthier’s value was high. Jones noted there was never going to be a better time and to get Drysdale in return feels like a win. It’s certainly the Flyers making the best of a tough situation.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella weighed in and said what many in the organization expressed on Monday night. If you don’t want to be a Flyer, “we don’t want you.”

The Flyers Are Making Sure Everyone Knows This Was Gauthier’s Issue

The public fallout culminated in what some are describing as an unprecedented move by the Flyers to universally condemn the player for how he handled things. Essentially, he said he wanted to be on the team, and they drafted him because of it. Then, out of the blue and with no explanation, he shifted gears. When they wanted to know why, the organization got no response.

The young prospect, once seen as part of the Flyers’ future, now finds himself on a new path, and the Flyers move forward, determined to build a team with players fully committed to the Philadelphia spirit. Drysdale will be a part of it and the team may look forward to that first game where Gauthier is in the lineup against them.

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