Ducks Cutter Gauthier looking foolish after requesting a trade from the Flyers

PUBLICATION

Daniel Lucente
November 1, 2024 (1:26 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Ducks Cutter Gauthier requested a trade out of Philadelphia and has not yet been able to score for the Ducks despite having one of the most shots in the league.

Cutter Gauthier's journey to the NHL was anything but linear. After his shocking request for a trade out of the Philadelphia Flyers, he sought a restart with the Anaheim Ducks. The expectation was palpable around Gauthier when he arrived in Anaheim, as many fans and analysts had speculated the young forward was chomping to hit the scoreboard early and often. But he's fired shot after shot, and the goals just don't seem to come. With one of the highest shot counts in the league, the offensive production of Gauthier remains one of the more frustrating and intriguing topics.

In this recent stretch by Anaheim, Gauthier has been very noticeable. Aggressive in his play, he creates scoring chances left and right; he's been an absolute threat when in the offensive zone. But even with remarkable shot volume, the puck simply hasn't found its way to the back of the net. It's not because he's not trying. Either due to some stellar goaltending from the opposing team, or whether it be a case of just bad luck, that finishing touch has eluded the rookie thus far. While his head coach Greg Cronin has spoken publicly of Gauthier's work ethic and perseverance, the Ducks are still awaiting that breakthrough moment.

This hard-fought battle for offensive success comes as the Ducks wrap up a really tough four-game East Coast road trip, as it ended in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. There have been flashes; this team has young guys who've stepped into key roles and have been grinding out key points. But the continued drought from Gauthier is one of those elephants in the room for a team that needs every last ounce of offensive oomph if it's going to have any hope of remaining competitive. As Anaheim continues to grow its young core, the performance of Gauthier is going to be an important piece of the puzzle.

Despite the lack of goals, Gauthier has done nearly everything else right. He creates space with his long, powerful stride, battles furiously along the boards, and reads the ice with a maturity well beyond his years. The game is starting to slow down for him, and he's capitalizing on opportunities as they come. It's obvious the skill set is there; now it's a matter of breaking through mentally and finding a way to capitalize. His determination and volume shots indicate that his first goal is more of a when rather than an if.

Now, the Ducks head back home for a huge six-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. For Cutter Gauthier, this is another chance to reset and refocus as Anaheim hopes the home ice is finally the catalyst he needs. While the Ducks appreciate that hard work, they do know the bottom line is ultimately the results. It is one of several storylines to watch as the Ducks continue their competitive push and grow as a team.