There’s been a lot of optimism and excitement about the progress of 2022 No. 1 draft pick (fifth overall) Cutter Gauthier.
He enjoyed a fine freshman season at Boston College which was topped off by a spectacular World Championships. He was one of the top one or two players on the United States team which finished fourth.
However, when general manager Daniel Briere was asked on Saturday about Gauthier’s possible presence for this year’s development camp at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., the GM shook his head.
For whatever reason, Gauthier has declined to attend.
Briere said he hadn’t spoken to Gauthier yet but speculated the talented forward might be a little exhausted from the NCAA season plus the Worlds.
Needless to say, the Flyers would have liked to see their top prospect on the ice at Voorhees, N.J. when things get started on Sunday.
“Cutter was invited,” Briere confirmed. “He declined to come. We’re assuming that because he’s played a lot of hockey with the World Championships and lots of travel.
“We’re not too worried about that. We don’t have (first-round draft pick) Matvei (Mishkov) either. For the fans and even us it would have been fun to see those guys on the ice. For the moment, it gives us a chance to focus a little more on the rest of the group.”
Briere said there’s no “disconnect” between the team and the player.
“No,” Briere said. “We’ll find out a little bit more. We’re trying to figure out why he didn’t want to come. But at this point I’m not too worried about that.”
>Sanheim probably not going anywhere
Briere was asked about whether defenseman Travis Sanheim’s play was affected by the signing of a $50-million contract at the start of last season. Sanheim had what amounted to a sub-par season and was recently the object of trade rumors.
“Early on,” Briere said. “His game, it was a little bit of a rollercoaster for Travis. And that’s why teams were calling us on him. The size, the way he moves, top four defenseman – those are hard to find around the league. We did get a lot of calls and we did listen. But nothing made sense for us.”
With the new contract kicking in his year, there’s a no-trade clause in place, so it’s less likely he will be moving on.
“I don’t imagine him being moved at this point,” Briere said. “Even going into it, I didn’t think he would get moved. At the same time, you listen. It’s my duty to listen. But nothing really made sense. Now he has a no-trade and we’re going to respect that.”
>DeAngelo status uncertain
Defenseman Tony DeAngelo has one more year left on his contract and he’s been the target of trade speculation, especially after he was benched for the final five games of last season.
There was a big falling out with coach John Tortorella after the two reportedly got into a heated exchange, which resulted in the quintet of scratches.
“I’m not going to discuss the trade talks that I’m having with different teams,” Briere said. “We’re open for business with anyone. So, he’s part of the team right now.”
>Couturier update
Sean Couturier (two back operations) missed all of last season due to injury but he’s hopeful of making a big comeback in 2023-24.
“So far so good,” Briere said. “It seems to be very positive. I spoke to him last week. He was gung-ho. He seems to think everything is back to normal, which is exciting for him and us. At this point, I expect him to be on the ice for training camp. And Game 1 of the season.”
>Best wishes to van Riemsdyk
One of the Flyers’ most talented and versatile forwards of this century, James van Riemsdyk, signed a one-year, $1-million free agent contract with the Boston Bruins on Saturday and it’s safe to say everyone who knows JVR in Philadelphia wishes him well.
“He’s a great teammate,” Briere said. “Nobody has anything bad to say about him. Everyone’s excited for him. It’s another chance. The Bruins were the best team in the NHL in the regular season. I’m sure they hava a lot to prove, so I think it’s a great fit for him to go to a good team.”
