The Philadelphia Flyers took a big chance this offseason by signing Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet. The deal that was signed would see the Flyers pay Carlsson $18 million a year over five seasons. The Ducks had seven days to match the offer, but it was a difficult choice, considering it was much more lucrative than they were willing to pay.
But on Thursday, the Ducks decided to forgo the chance to receive four first-round picks from the Flyers, and matched Carlsson's offer sheet. So the Ducks are now on the books for Carlsson's five-year, $90 million contract. While they did retain one of their top young players, the Ducks will now have to get some contracts off the books in an effort to retain some of their other players.
Speaking of, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski detailed the biggest winners and losers of the Carlsson offer sheet saga. One of the biggest losers of the saga, per Wyshysnki, is former Flyers first-round pick Cutter Gauthier, who is set for a contract extension this offseason from the Ducks. Gauthier is known by Flyers fans for his efforts to get a trade off the team after getting drafted.
Cutter Gauthier named loser of Leo Carlsson saga by ESPN
"Gauthier knows that every dollar added to his salary cap number is a dollar the Ducks need to find somewhere else on the roster, meaning teammates will have to relocate their lives and families somewhere else," writes Wyshynski.
"It'll be interesting to see what Gauthier does here. He has already established that he's willing to fight for what he wants for himself and his career --Â that's why he's a Duck and not a Flyer. Does he take one for the team or seek to break the bank? Carlsson secured the bag without a care about the cap implications. Gauthier might not have that luxury."
After the Carlsson deal, the Ducks have a little less than $10 million in cap space remaining entering this season. Gauthier was set for a new long-term deal, where he could very well look to crack into the eight figures per year salary. But with the Carlsson deal and the Pavel Mintyukov extension, he won't have that luxury.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said that he plans on signing Gauthier to a contract extension and that he has time to squeeze it under the cap.
"The intention is to get Cutter signed. Wherever Cutter comes in at, we're going to have some work to do to fit everyone in," Verbeek said, h/t ESPN. "I have 2½ months to figure that out."
Flyers fans know well how things can spiral into an odd direction. After all, Gauthier went from being seemingly ecstatic about being drafted by the Flyers to not reporting to development camp. Ultimately, the Flyers were told simply that he didn't want to be part of the organization anymore. The Flyers tried meeting with Gauthier at the world junior tournament, but he did not want to meet with them. To this day, there has been no concrete reason why Gauthier did not want to play for Philadelphia. Ultimately, he was traded to the Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick.
Could Gauthier try and force his way out of Anaheim in an effort to maximize his value, especially after putting up 41 goals this past season? Or would he opt to wait for the Ducks to clear up some more cap space by getting rid of some contracts like Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano, or Chris Kreider? Or would he take on a team-friendly contract? There should be an answer at some point this offseason.
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