While the Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a major blow to Anaheim’s salary cap and to fans of the team, it has been resolved. At the end of the day, although the price tag is high, having a player like Leo for at least another half decade is huge. However, with the relief of Leo’s contract being resolved, Ducks fans alike go from one stress to another. Cutter Gauthier is yet to be extended, and there is currently not very much for Verbeek and his team to work with in terms of salary cap space. The number is currently just over $ 9 million. With the new market being set by the Carlsson offer sheet, a player like Gauthier could arguably be worth somewhere in the ballpark of 12-15 million.
Keeping Cutter
The 22-year-old winger has shown that he has the ability to be an elite goalscorer in the NHL. With 61 goals in his first two seasons, including a 41-goal campaign that had him becoming the first Ducks player to break forty since Corey Perry had 43 tucks in the 2013-14 season. Gauthier was also valuable in the playoffs as he scored 4 goals and added 8 helpers in 12 games. Cutter has certainly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the production side of things, and has a lethal shot. He should be a regular 30-40 goal guy for at least a decade. It will surprise no one if he has a 60-goal year in the future. With that being said, he can’t score any goals until he is signed to a contract.
There are multiple approaches to keeping Gauthier. One would be for Verbeek to work out a 1-year “prove it” deal at a lower AAV, perhaps 7 or 8 million, with the agreement on both sides that next offseason Gauthier will then get a long-term deal around 13 or 14 million. The contracts of Alex Killorn and Chris Kreider will come off the books, and clear up just over 12 million. There is also the option to move Killorn or Kreider now and gain the extra cap space. Frank Vatrano is also making over 4.5 million and perhaps could be dealt to a team like the Vancouver Canucks, for instance. Per some speculative reports.
Making moves like this before the upcoming season would clear up space and allow the Ducks to lock up Cutter at a number that is fair and more manageable. However, it would also leave multiple roster spots empty on the wings. Not a bad thing, but perhaps a slight step back as Kreider and Killorn were both very good as leaders on and off the ice this past season. Some young forwards that could perhaps make the full-time jump to the show would be Nikita Nesterenko, Sam Colangelo, and maybe even Roger McQueen, if he really impresses in camp.
For what it’s worth as well, I for one have been a massive Cutter fan since he joined the Ducks. I had begun watching his games with Boston College as soon as he was traded to Anaheim in 2024. I would guess that most fans of the team are fans of Cutter. Who doesn’t love a goal scorer, right? Losing him would be a bummer as a fanbase because we are finally seeing a young core group with some savvy veterans who are able to win and give us a taste of what’s to come for future playoffs. I think of him and Leo as the next Perry and Getzlaf. Two dominant forwards who can drive play and lead the Ducks to success over and over again.
Letting Cutter go
While it would be awesome to have Cutter and Leo both back, essentially keeping the entire forward core together from last season, it could cause the same issue for the upcoming contract of Beckett Sennecke in a couple of years. As hard as it would be to see Cutter go, it could also pay off to trade him to a team in the Eastern Conference, so as to not face him too much. The Ducks would then be able to keep the 9 million they have and bank on Nesterenko and Colangelo to fill roster spots for right now.
Next offseason, Verbeek could have more money to work with and really take a swing on another slightly older player that would be very productive. Someone like Jason Robertson in Dallas perhaps. I do also think it’s worth mentioning that Tim Washe will need an extension in 2027. He has been very solid as the fourth-line center and could be a great piece to lock up, and maybe could command a decent salary as well, maybe around 4 million AAV on the high end.
There is also the tantalizing idea of trading Gauthier for Larkin, with some version of picks and prospects involved. Although he has a list of teams he would go to, I believe that the right offer would get Larkin in a Ducks sweater. That would greatly improve the center depth, making the 1,2,3 punch of Carlsson, Larkin, and Granlund. The current Red Wings captain has an AAV of 8.7 million, which is perfect for the Ducks' remaining cap space. He still has five years left on his contract, through the rest of his prime years. As well, with the latest development in Detroit, the firing of GM Steve Yzerman, could make this kind of move a greater possibility.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Ducks have a big decision to make about Cutter. I would expect them to keep him, as it would be too big a step back if he was not spending the next several years in Orange County. The vibes have been great, especially with him, Leo, and Sennecke leading the way in the youth movement at forward. With the right moves, and paying a higher premium in terms of picks and prospects, Anaheim should be able to keep Gauthier while also setting themselves up to continue getting better and working toward a contending window in another two or three years. The cap situation is not ideal, but it’s not terrible either. Keeping Cutter would be a win, but using him to get a more seasoned forward such as Larkin or Robertson could be huge as well. We’ll see what the next month or so brings us. Go Ducks!
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