$13.5 million a year, five days before camp
Anaheim cleared its biggest contract problem off the desk with five days to spare before the first preseason game. Cutter Gauthier put his name on a six-year deal Tuesday. The Ducks kept the terms quiet, but ESPN and The Athletic both have it at an annual average of $13.5 million.
The structure is the interesting part. Year one pays $850,000 in salary plus an $18.6 million signing bonus, per ESPN. That is the shape front offices use when they want a player locked in and paid early.
At that number, Gauthier becomes the second-highest paid skater on the roster, behind centre Leo Carlsson at $18 million, according to The Athletic.
Try it for $0.99.
From one NHL game to 41 goals in three seasons
The production explains the money. Gauthier put up 41 goals and 28 assists last season, career bests on both counts, and led the Ducks in goals and points.
He kept it going in the playoffs. Four goals, eight assists, 12 games, before Edmonton went out in six and Vegas closed it out in six as well.
The climb came in three jumps. One assist in a single NHL appearance in 2023-24. Then a full 82 games the next year for 20 goals and 24 assists. Then last season. He is 22, he was finishing a three-year entry-level contract, and restricted free agency was waiting.
A trade Philadelphia would rather not revisit
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek leaned on the timing. “We are happy to have Cutter signed long term and at camp on time. He is a major piece of our young core, a pure scoring talent who will keep pushing toward elite status.”
Gauthier sounded just as pleased. “It’s a very exciting day for my family and me. I’m thrilled to sign long term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a bright future.”
Anaheim acquired him in January 2024, sending defenceman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick to Philadelphia. The Flyers had drafted him fifth overall in 2022. Born in Sweden, developed in Arizona, cashed in on the California coast. Two and a half years on, nobody in Philadelphia wants that trade brought up.
Discover the rest of the NHL news on our site and app mathodds!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply