Report: Anaheim Ducks' RFA Cutter Gauthier's Latest Contract Demand
Signing the offer sheet set off alarms in Anaheim, as they had seven days to match the sheet and keep Carlsson in the Ducks colors. Carlsson's never been a 100+ point forward yet, but he's getting paid like one now. Following Carlsson's newly inked contract, the team signed Pavel Mintyukov to a $7.2 million AAV.
Now, there are reports that Gauthier is aiming for the same kind of payday that Carlsson has received. Gauthier has been a fixture in the Ducks lineup since he arrived from Philadelphia in a trade during the 2023-24 season.
Gauthier has played a total of 148 games for the Ducks and scored 113 points. This season, Gauthier lit the lamp 41 times and scored 69 points.
Nevertheless, the RFA has high hopes of signing a similar deal that Carlsson signed, according to Keith Yandle on Spittin' Chiclets.
Keith Yandle said he was “fed a little tidbit” that Cutter Gauthier won’t take a penny less than $18 million AAV.@spittinchiclets
— The Mug NHL (@TheMugNHL) July 14, 2026
However, Gauthier has no leverage in this and cannot file for arbitration. He's back to being in a situation that might be untenable for the forward who forced himself out of Philadelphia via trade.
Gauthier was selected fifth overall in the 1st-round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and has yet to reach his full potential in the NHL. He's managed to secure a spot in the full-time lineup of the Ducks, and has had his first taste of playoff hockey during the 2025-26 season.
That could all come to a halt if he doesn't sign with the Ducks by December 1st.