Former NHLer Scott Hartnell blasted rookie player Cutter Gauthier for his sudden departure from the Philadelphia Flyers. Though initially interested in joining their organization, the 19-year-old suddenly changed his mind after World Championship games. The organization has been silent on this ongoing saga, hoping “he would change his mind.”
In the end, he was traded to the Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale . His reluctance to play for the Flyers angered the whole fan community including Flyers players and former star Scott Hartnell. Hartnell along with journalist Al Morganti spoke on the Gauthier saga saying that “he’s thinking he’s something else” when he didn’t even debut in the NHL.
Morganti slammed Gauthier after learning how he refused to meet the team’s prominent members despite their outreach. “There’s something seriously wrong with that equation,” he stated. Hartnell on the other hand said:
A kid doesn’t wanna be there, hasn’t played an NHL game yet, he’s thinking he’s something else to call where he can be playing… Scott Hartnell on X.
There was even a rumor that Gauthier refused to join the Flyers due to Hartnell’s haircut. Former NHLer and Spittin’ Chiclets podcast host Paul Bissonnette pointed out how one of his sources labeled the haircut as one of the many possible reasons for Gauthier’s refusal.
Flyers GM Danny Briere explains why the organization kept silent about ongoing Cutter Gauthier saga
According to reports, Flyers GM Danny Briere and President Kevin Jones traveled to Sweden to talk to Gauthier, but he refused to meet them. It was after the rookie’s astonishing performance at the IIHF World Championships in 2023. Briere said that Gauthier wouldn’t communicate, attend summer training, or sign with the Flyers.
As per CBS Philadelphia, Danny Briere admitted that this has “been going on for a while,” and despite their attempt to talk this through, all approaches went futile. He noted,
We tried to give him space. We tried to get in touch with him many times. He would not communicate…so at some point, we had to make a decision… Danny Briere on Instagram post.
Briere said that Gauthier did not attend the summer training camp and his interaction with Philly started getting awkward as days went by. They tried “to protect the kid ” but in the end, the organization decided to let go of the unwilling prospect. John Tortorella said he doesn’t care about Gauthier and is more interested in talking about Drysdale who’s joining the organization instead.
Briere said that he was shocked at how Cutter Gauthier changed from what he said during the 2022 NHL Draft. They wanted to talk things out, but after months of silence from his side, the organization decided “it was time to” mark him out of the Flyers prospect lineup.
He looked at us at the draft and told us he was built to be a Flyer, wanted to be a Flyer, and then a few months later, told us that he didn’t want to be a Flyer, didn’t want to play for the Flyers. Danny Briere as per CBS Philadelphia.
His absence and attitude even pi--ed off the Flyers current players. Defenceman Travis Sanheim noted that Gauthier should have at least attended the training camp “whether you skate or not.” “If he doesn’t want to be here we’re happy to move on,” Sanheim said. The Gauthier trade saga is far from its end. Fans are hoping to get further clarification on what went down in their once-favorite rookie’s trade. The player himself has yet to make any media appearance.
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