A future NHL star player refused to play for the Canadiens: a major trade that continues to stir conversation about Cutter Gauthier
Since his surprise trade from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Anaheim Ducks, the highly talented Cutter Gauthier has been a constant topic of conversation.
Let's remember that we're talking about a likely future NHL star, who was drafted 5th overall in 2022. (a few ranks after Juraj Slafkovsky)
The young forward had mentioned to the Flyers before the draft that he wanted to play for them, but he completely changed his mind afterward.
Not only did he no longer want to sign with Philadelphia, but he outright refused to talk to their executives in recent months, and he never gave a reason for his refusal.
An extremely bizarre and rare situation.
Cutter Gauthier traded for David Reinbacher?
We then learned, from solid sources, that the Flyers proposed a trade to the Montreal Canadiens during the 2023 draft.
Kent Hughes refused this transaction. (Gauthier vs Reinbacher - 5th overall pick in 2023)
And clearly, he did the right thing!
Cutter Gauthier would have refused to play for the Montreal Canadiens
In fact, he didn't want to play in Canada. He had some specific demands anyway...
Of course, it's important to remember that Gauthier was offered to the Canadiens in the last draft. The #5 pick, which was used to draft David Reinbacher, was asked for in exchange for Gauthier.
The Canadiens said no." - Via DansLesCoulisses
So, I think we can all agree that this was an excellent non-transaction by Kent Hughes.
Would we have taken Matvei Michkov or Zach Benson before David Reinbacher? Maybe, but we wouldn't have taken Cutter Gauthier.
He is very talented, but his attitude raises some questions.
Sources and details:
| POLL | ||
Who will be better in 5 years? | ||
| Reinbacher | 474 | 51.4 % |
| Benson | 92 | 10 % |
| Michkov | 256 | 27.8 % |
| Cutter Gauthier | 100 | 10.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
