<p>It’s about to get spicy in Southern California.</p>



<p>The Anaheim Ducks officially signed Cutter Gauthier to an NHL entry-level contract today, marking the arrival of one of the NHL’s top prospects. Other than maybe San Jose’s Will Smith (if he signs, of course), Gauthier is the biggest name turning pro out of college hockey this year.</p>



<p>Gauthier’s season with Boston College finished with an unceremonius loss to Denver in the NCAA title game on Saturday, a day after losing out on the Hobey Baker. But that was just a small damper on what should be a solid career for the American forward.</p>



<p>Gauthier has always been among the best in his age group. In his draft year with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Gauthier finished fifth in team scoring with 34 goals and 65 points on a team that had Logan Cooley, Frank Nazar, Rutger McGroarty, Jimmy Snuggerud and Isaac Howard, among others. Gauthier was the team’s top net-front presence, but he also showcased just how good of a shot he has. </p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="175"></div>



<p>Gauthier immediately impacted as a freshman at Boston College, scoring 16 goals and 37 points in 32 games last year. He was also one of the best players at the World Junior Championship, scoring four goals and 10 points in seven games as USA finished with the bronze. </p>



<p>But at the World Junior Summer Showcase last July, Gauthier showed he meant business. He was USA’s top player, dominating the two-way game. He then helped his country win gold at the main event after registering 10 assists and 12 points in seven games, capping off a tremendous junior national team career.</p>



<p>Back at BC, Gauthier was a man on a mission. He entered the NCAA title game with 38 goals and 65 points in just 40 games, putting him in second in scoring behind Smith. While Smith did produce more, Gauthier’s brute strength, great shot and power-play prowess made him such a difficult machine to contain almost every single night, with no other NCAA goal-scorer coming close to touching what he put in the back of the net.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="178"></div>



<p>From a style perspective, there’s so much to love here. Gauthier was more of a shooter in junior, but developed his netfront and playmaking game over two years at BC. He’s also a strong skater, both foundationally and from an overall speed perspective. </p>



<p>Gauthier is going to be a PP1 stalwart throughout his career. Whether in a scoring position to fire shots or as a stand-still setup guy, Gauthier is dynamic with the man advantage. There are few prospects I’d trust more with the puck than him because he just seems to always know what to do with it – he reads situations so well.</p>



<p>That being said, his decision-making can get him into trouble at points. While he’s confident with the puck, there are times when he shoots when he shouldn’t, and vice-versa. That’s something NHL coaches will help him tame, especially since he won’t be able to dominate like he does now. But with a good frame and a somewhat power-forward playing style, he already looks ready to step into Anaheim’s lineup and contribute.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="177"></div>



<p>Many believe Gauthier could have turned pro last spring and already be an effective NHLer. In hindsight, Gauthier’s disinterest with the Philadelphia Flyers’ organization wasn’t going to make that a possibility. But in staying in college, he had the chance to chase a national title and world junior gold in the same year – something very few are fortunate to do each year. And on both teams, he was a leader, someone who could generate something out of nothing and get the job done. Few prospects were as dominant in so many facets of the game as Gauthier was, simple as that.</p>



<p>Flyers fans, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry. It sucks. Jamie Drysdale is one heck of a defenseman, but he isn’t Cutter Gauthier. The potential for Gauthier to truly become one of the better young players in the league is massive.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="143"></div>



<p>But Philly’s loss is Anaheim’s gain. And for a team that already has some promising young talent – Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger – adding Gauthier to the fray is huge. The Ducks have been a bottom feeder for quite some time now, and they’ve had some unfortunate misses with some top young talent – Max Comtois, Sam Steel and Max Jones come to mind.</p>



<p>You’re missing out if you’re not on the Ducks’ bandwagon right now. It’s exciting that the Ducks and Sharks are coming up together simultaneously – albeit they’re still a few years away from being realistic contenders. Still, it should help rejuvenate a rivalry that’s been dead as a doornail for way too long.</p>



<p>In the short term, though, Gauthier is one of the top candidates for the 2025 Calder Trophy. He’ll face off against the likes of Logan Stankoven, Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and more, but it helps that he’ll likely play an integral role for a team that needs all the help they can get.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="177"></div>



<p>But more importantly, he could be the spark the Ducks truly need. They’ve got the young talent, but you’re asking a lot out of a handful of U-25 skaters to get this team where it needs to be. Gauthier should be a top-six player next year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s challenging for the team scoring lead. </p>



<p>The biggest question, to me, is whether Gauthier slots down the middle or on the wing. He has significant experience at both, and has the physical traits you’d look for out of a center, but I’d love to see him as a finisher on a line with Zegras or Carlsson. Regardless, it’s an excellent position to be in.</p>



<p>Scouts are excited about Cutter Gauthier. I’m excited. The Ducks are, too. With Gauthier’s mix of confidence and skill, I have every reason to believe he’ll be a star sooner rather than later. And, maybe, he’ll be one of the biggest reasons why Anaheim is challenging for Stanley Cups before the turn of the decade.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="173"></div>



<p>_____</p>



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