It's been some time since Leo Carlsson's massive offer sheet by the Flyers was picked up and matched by the Anaheim Ducks. Once that bomb hit, there have been a lot or ripples that have radiated out. Since then, the Flyers have re-signed both Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale to four-year deals. Connor Bedard signed a three year deal with the Blackhawks. Dylan Larkin is still looking for a trade.
One of those ripples involves former Flyers' prospect Cutter Gauthier. With his teammate becoming the highest paid player in the NHL, it would seem that Gauthier seems to be a bit jealous. An initial rumor signaled his ask was $18 million and not a penny less, but that report was later shut down.
Here's the thing, he's still an RFA. While he can't be offer sheeted by another team, he still needs to sign with the Ducks. Can he wait to earn that in a few years and sign a bridge deal now or is this a big time demand that could lead to a hold out?
The problem is that Anaheim has only $9 million left in cap space. Gauthier likely feels he's about as talented as Carlsson and deserves that kind of pay day. Especially when he led the Ducks in goals and points. However, the Ducks are now crippled by Briere's tactical move and have other talented RFAs to sign.
It's one thing to understand your value as a player. It's another thing to still demand something that can do greater harm to your team. Let's say somehow Anaheim gives him $18 million. That's roughly 1/3 of their salary cap tied up with just two players. It's not sustainable. It sends a message to other players that you are going to be expendable now because you aren't these guys.
Flyers made out like bandits without Gauthier
Take Connor Bedard, for example. Bedard, even though he is hurt and should miss the next few months, signed a contract that will pay him $15 million a year. Here is a guy that the league has been pushing to be the next Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin, in the same way that 35 years ago, they were pushing Eric Lindros to be the Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. And much like Lindros, Bedard has been scoring, but also been hurt a lot.
Bedard could've asked for $20 millon plus a season and could've gotten it. Instead, he settled for $15 million, is the third highest-paid player now, and leaves Chicago with $12 million in salary cap to play with and make some necessary moves to get better.
Gauthier's possible demands will keep Anaheim among the bottom tier of teams. While it is not his fault that Carlsson was offered that match nor that Anaheim matched it, he could do his team a solid and say, "Hey, I'll sign a short term contract for $6 million now, but in three years clear some cash and when the salary cap goes up, I want to get paid!" That's how you be a team player. That's how you show your teammates you care about them too.
The potential demands, though show he is selfish and only cares about himself. That's not the kind of guy that belongs in Philadelphia representing this city or team. True, the Flyers offered Carlsson all that money, but they still had money enough to give out to Drysdale and Zegras, although probably not as much as they just got. Instead, Briere gets to reward players for their commitment to the team.
Not only that, the Flyers have two young stars playing for less than the price that Gauthier is demanding. That's value. That will save you money in the longterm.
Philly has a long history of having diva-like players. Recently, two of them have had to leave: AJ Brown and Nick Castellanos. We are better off without them. Likewise, we are probably better after all that Gauthier decided (for whatever reason) that he didn't want to play in Philly. I can't imagine having a guy like that who is more focused on his own stats and paycheck than the team overall.
Sorry Anaheim, you can have him.
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