Anaheim Geese September Sequence: 2024-25 Expectations for Cutter Gauthier – The Hockey Writers – Geese Prospects

Cutter Gauthier arrived in Anaheim beneath distinctive circumstances. He was one of many extra notable gamers in latest reminiscence to refuse to play for the crew that drafted him, the Philadelphia Flyers. He compelled their hand, and in accordance with him, we don’t have to or won’t ever know why. This rift between participant and group put one of the vital gifted prospects throughout the Nationwide Hockey League on the commerce market and the Geese have been flush with the expertise that might entice the Flyers to make a commerce. He was coming off a dominant efficiency on the World Junior Championship (two objectives, 10 assists in seven video games) and was in the course of a profession season at Boston Faculty. The associated fee? Jamie Drysdale, within the uncommon “one-for-one hockey commerce.”

In 2020, former basic supervisor (GM) Bob Murray drafted Drysdale, whose street to realizing his potential as a high pairing defenseman has been rocky, at finest. Pat Verbeek, the Geese’ GM of at this time, dangled Drysdale on the market so he might soar on the uncommon alternative to get an elite goal-scoring prospect and fill a gap within the Geese’ lineup that has been absent since Corey Perry’s prime days. Gauthier understands the duty forward of him and is prepared for his rookie season in Anaheim, so let’s set some expectations. 

Gauthier’s On- and Off-ice Headlines Convey Consideration to Anaheim

It takes a particular dose of swagger and bravado to publicly refuse to play for anybody, not to mention a Philadelphia-based franchise coached by John Tortorella. Understandably, that’s not everybody’s cup of tea. Most individuals who really feel that means simply received’t say it. Gauthier did and it introduced him to Anaheim. It ought to make the Geese’ look in Philadelphia this season fascinating, to say the least. He exudes confidence, which he has constructed via a exceptional run on each the worldwide and NCAA circuits. 

In two World Junior Championship tournaments with the US, he collected six objectives and 16 assists in 14 video games, and was notably spectacular within the 2024 competitors, the place he co-led the event in scoring en path to a gold medal. His NCAA profession was no much less spectacular as he collected an eye-popping stat line in two seasons for the Boston Faculty Eagles – 73 video games, 54 objectives, 48 assists. He had 38 of these objectives in his 2023-24 sophomore season, which set a Boston Faculty document. He was an instrumental piece of this system that made a run to the Frozen 4 Nationwide Championship sport. Regardless of Gauthier’s pre-game confidence, he and his crew fell brief, however it doesn’t take away from his exceptional run, and definitely doesn’t forged doubt on his potential to provide on the NHL degree. This child is the true deal, and he flashed a few of that in his NHL debut.

Spectacular NHL Presents Promise

Gauthier signed with the Geese following Boston Faculty’s deep run within the Frozen 4, simply in time to make his NHL debut within the Geese’ ultimate sport of the season, a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights. He acquired a chance to skate with Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson, and picked up his first level, an help, in simply his third interval of NHL motion. Proper off the bat, he confirmed a capability to compete, get entangled within the offense. That mindset stayed with him all through the offseason and the latest Rookie Faceoff. When requested concerning the muscle he added within the offseason, he acknowledged, “I didn’t need to come within the league and get tossed round by all these huge defensemen they’ve within the NHL now.” The Geese will drastically profit from this competitiveness and urgency as he works himself into the young-but-supremely-talented ahead group in Anaheim. 

Gauthier an Essential A part of Younger Core

We’ve mentioned the deep pool of expertise the Geese have advert nauseum. Sooner or later, somebody should begin delivering in a means that results in wins. The Drysdale/Gauthier swap was the primary of what could possibly be many examples that not all the Geese’ younger items are a part of the group’s future. Beckett Sennecke could also be a couple of years away, however he’s one other participant that might put stress on the younger crop of forwards. It’s all nice competitors that must be thrilling to look at within the seasons to return. Gauthier, although, is right here to remain, and it’s straightforward to know why: he fills a necessity that no different participant within the Geese’ system at present does. Put merely, he scores lots of objectives. And he’ll rating lots of objectives for this crew. 

Associated: Geese September Sequence: 2024–25 Expectations for Leo Carlsson

Terry is the Geese’ most dynamic finisher in the intervening time, and oftentimes probably the most harmful participant on the ice. That may proceed, however he wants assist. One other finisher like him will take the stress off, give key facilitators like Carlsson and Trevor Zegras extra choices, and provides opposing defenses extra to fret about. It’s really a humiliation of riches for newly-outfitted Geese, who will now characteristic Carlsson, Zegras, Terry, Mason McTavish, Frank Vatrano, Alex Killorn, Robby Fabbri, and Gauthier of their top-three ahead strains. 

Gauthier is one a few reliable challengers to 2024 first-overall choose Macklin Celebrini for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s finest rookie. Surrounded by playmakers on each offense and protection, Gauthier could have ample alternative to thrive instantly. If he debuted alongside Terry and Carlsson, then he’ll in all probability get a glance alongside them because the preseason continues. If head coach Greg Cronin prefers to pair a playmaker with a finisher, then maybe he and Zegras make sense. He’s a seamless match on his sturdy aspect wing on the facility play, reverse Terry. He too, has dimension (6-foot-2) and may skate. 

It’s essential to notice that loads of gamers don’t storm out of the gates. Some do, a number of don’t. It takes time adjusting to the pains of an extended, bodily, 82-game schedule. It might very properly occur to Gauthier, however he has the instruments, and environment, to beat it, and that’s what I’d anticipate. He must be one of the vital entertaining gamers to regulate this season for the Geese; search for him to capitalize on taking part in with Carlsson, Terry, and others and produce a 15-20 aim, 35–40-point rookie season.