One of the boldest ideas floating around the NHL offseason has Edmonton linked to Cutter Gauthier, and it comes from Allan Mitchell’s latest piece for The Athletic. Mitchell starts with Kirill Marchenko in Columbus, then pushes the thought a step further by asking what the odds are of the Oilers making a real run at Gauthier.
At first glance, the fit makes plenty of sense. Gauthier is coming off a 41-goal season, he shoots from just about everywhere, and he has the kind of speed to keep pace with Edmonton’s top-end talent. He checks a lot of boxes for a team that has spent years searching for a winger who can solve more than one problem at once.
But the idea quickly runs into reality.
Gauthier is Anaheim’s issue right now, and the Ducks are tangled in a contract standoff with camp approaching. Mitchell notes that if Anaheim wants to get him signed, trade candidates like Frank Vatrano, Chris Kreider, and Alex Killorn could be on the way out.
Gauthier wants his money, especially after Leo Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet deal at $18 million per season. Gauthier is not worth $18 million, but he is a 21-year-old who just scored 41 goals and is expected to be part of Anaheim’s core for a long time.
The whole pitch hinges on the possibility that Anaheim and Gauthier simply don’t work it out. If that happens, a trade could be on the table this summer.
From Edmonton’s side, Mitchell argues the Oilers have leaned too often on short-term veteran winger rentals in recent offseasons, banking on chemistry and a hot streak to keep another Cup push alive. His case is that the better move might be a heavy investment in something much more durable.
Gauthier, in that view, gives the Oilers something they have not had a real shot at in years: a young, cost-controlled scorer with real finish who could stay alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for years, not just for one playoff run. If there is a chance to trade for him, Mitchell believes Edmonton ought to be involved.
Of course, that’s where the dream gets expensive.
Edmonton does not have a stocked cupboard, and the cost to land Gauthier would be massive. Stan Bowman does not have much draft capital or organizational depth to work with, and Anaheim holds the leverage anyway. The Ducks do not have to move Gauthier, and they certainly do not have to move him to a division rival.
If the Oilers were to open talks, Mitchell’s sense is that Matthew Savoie, Ike Howard, and a high draft pick would be the outer limit of an offer. Even that might not be enough, especially with other teams able to assemble stronger prospect and pick packages without much strain.
Then there is the contract issue, which may be the biggest hurdle of all. Whatever Gauthier eventually signs for in Anaheim is expected to be significant, and Edmonton would almost certainly need to clear out an established roster player just to make the money fit.
That would mean plenty of turnover for one player, even one with Gauthier’s scoring touch. Mitchell also points to the reputation Gauthier has for working himself out of NHL organizations, which only adds another layer of caution for a team built to win now.
So yes, this is a long shot - maybe more than that. But if Gauthier truly becomes available, Mitchell’s view is that the Oilers should at least pick up the phone.
In Other News...
Oilers Suddenly Linked To A Trade Chase That Could Transform Their Top Six
The Oilers have been floated in a new trade conversation that would be aimed at reshaping their top six, with the kind of upside swing that naturally gets attention around the league. The speculation points toward Philadelphia as the team to watch, and it is the sort of idea that fits Edmontons ongoing search for more skill and long-term punch up front.
What makes the chatter intriguing is the proposed cost, which would not be light and would almost certainly force the Oilers to part with meaningful future assets. The framework being discussed would likely lean on a promising young piece in Isaac Howard, a defenceman, and several draft picks, which shows how steep the price could be if Edmonton decides this is the move worth chasing. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Camp Depth Already Facing An Early Problem
Training camp was supposed to give the Oilers their first real look at how much depth they can trust after another long spring, but the early list of absences already complicates that picture. Edmonton said Matt Savoie and Frederik Andersen will miss camp because of injuries sustained during offseason training, while Mattias Janmark and Alec Regula also won't be available after surgeries tied to previous injuries.
For a team trying to sort out roles and combinations before the season gets rolling, the timing is less than ideal. The Oilers haven't detailed the specific injuries involved, and the club said updates on each player will come when appropriate, leaving camp to begin with more questions than the staff probably wanted at this stage. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Camp Plans Already Face A Problem Before It Even Starts
The first signs of trouble for Oilers training camp arrived before a puck had even dropped, with the club saying Matt Savoie and Frederik Andersen are not expected to take part as they work back from offseason injuries. Edmonton also indicated Mattias Janmark and defenseman Alec Regula are unlikely to be ready for camp after recent medical procedures, leaving the team to sort through an early round of absences before the real work begins.
For a club trying to get its roster and lineup settled, the timing is hardly ideal. The Oilers did not offer any return timeline for any of the four players, which leaves their availability open-ended as camp approaches and puts extra attention on the next wave of updates from the medical staff. [Read more 🡒]