Cutter Gauthier’s next contract has become one of the loudest talking points in the NHL rumor mill, and the number attached to it is a hefty one: a reported four-year, $13 million AAV deal from the Anaheim Ducks, or $52 million total. According to NHL Network’s Paul Shaheen, Gauthier turned it down.
That’s a striking stance for a player coming off a breakout 41-goal, 69-point season, especially with the kind of leverage he appears to have right now. The Leo Carlsson deal only adds another layer to the situation, because Anaheim’s cap picture is already tight after matching Philadelphia’s offer sheet for Carlsson. The Ducks are said to have only about $9 million in space, which means a $13 million contract for Gauthier would force Pat Verbeek to make more room.
The most obvious way to do that would be by moving money out, and the names floating around are Chris Kreider at $6.5 million or Alex Killorn at $6.25 million, both of whom are in contract years. Frank Vatrano is another possible route, but he’s described as a less attractive option because he’s younger and cheaper.
Another wrinkle here is term. A six- to eight-year deal would let Anaheim spread the hit over future cap growth, and it would also reduce the chance of Gauthier’s salary spiking again in five seasons.
If the Ducks are only willing to go four years, that could be a sign he’s not interested in that kind of structure.
Montreal’s goaltending situation is also starting to look like it could force a decision. Teams can carry three goalies, but the Canadiens’ setup this season seems headed in a different direction. Sam Montembeault appears to be the odd man out, with his contract running through 2027 and the organization leaning more heavily toward its younger options.
Dobes emerged as the de facto No. 1 during last season’s stretch run and playoffs, and Jacob Fowler was his postseason backup. That makes the picture clearer, and it also makes Montembeault harder to manage.
Unlike Fowler, he likely wouldn’t clear waivers if the Canadiens tried to send him down, which makes him more than just a spare part. The expectation is a Dobes-Fowler tandem, with Montembeault either stuck as the third goalie or becoming a trade candidate.
In Vancouver, Thatcher Demko’s status for the start of the 2026-27 regular season is also being watched closely. Sekeres and Price reported speculation that he might not be ready, but they framed it as something that shouldn’t come as a shock. “We know how cautious he’s going to be at this stage, we know how cautious they are going to be.”
There’s a practical side to that possibility for the Canucks. If Demko isn’t back, there’s no confusion about where the team stands: a draft lottery team.
His health won’t paper over roster issues or steal extra points. It also means Nikita Tolopilo can stay out of the waiver conversation for now, giving Vancouver a chance to see whether he can handle NHL duty.
And it gives Kevin Lankinen a runway to play and potentially build up trade value.
As for Sidney Crosby, extension talks are expected to happen before summer ends. Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported that Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, said he hadn’t yet discussed extension plans with Crosby, and the Penguins haven’t had those talks either. Crosby is under contract for this season and becomes a UFA after the year.
The long-standing expectation remains that Crosby wants to keep doing one- or two-year deals to finish his career in Pittsburgh. Unlike last offseason, there doesn’t seem to be any real chatter about him leaving, and those rumors proved false anyway.
Crosby even had to address them publicly then. This time, no one is asking those questions.
In Other News...
Canucks Fans Have Every Reason To Watch Calgary Closely Again
Calgarys rebuild has dragged into another summer, and from a Canucks point of view, that still matters. The Flames closed out the 2025-26 season with 39 losses and 77 points, landing seventh in the Pacific Division behind Vancouver, and they have been trying to reset the roster since trading Elias Lindholm in 2024. Even with a few changes along the way, including the addition of defender Simon Nemec, the overall climb has been slow enough that the gap between the two teams remains worth watching.
For Vancouver, the interest is simple: a division rival that has struggled to find traction can shape the race around it, even before the puck drops. Calgary is still being projected to have a rough go of it again next season, with expectations that the Flames could finish behind the Canucks once more. If that holds, it would keep Vancouver in the more favorable spot and add another layer to a rivalry that has not exactly needed extra fuel. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks Have One Demko Concern They Can't Rush Into Camp
Aiden Celebrinis situation is the more immediate prospect watch for Vancouver, but the bigger organizational question still sits in net. As the Canucks continue through a rebuilding stretch, Thatcher Demko remains the player who can most change the look of the season when he is healthy, and the club has every reason to be patient while he works his way back.
For now, the team has to plan for the possibility that he is not ready when camp opens, which is why the goalie depth behind him matters so much. Vancouver has been careful not to force the issue with its starter, and until Demko is fully cleared, the Canucks will have to keep sorting out their crease with the alternatives already on hand. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks Fans May Not See Much Of Their Top Young Talent In Camp
The Canucks are set to open training camp in Penticton from Sept. 17-20, but a good chunk of their young talent may be nowhere near the ice. Fourteen prospects are expected to miss the camp because of NCAA commitments or because they are already playing overseas, which takes some of the shine off what is usually a useful first look at the organizations future.
Caleb Malhotra is part of that group, and his path is already tied to Boston University, where he will begin classes before camp starts. For Vancouver, it means the summer buzz around its prospects will have to wait a little longer, with several of the teams more intriguing young names likely to be absent from a gathering that often helps set the tone for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]