Expect Adam Fantilli and Cutter Gauthier to get paid
Elliotte Friedman joined NHL Tonight on NHL Network with Jamison Coyle, Mike Rupp, and Cory Schneider to discuss the situations in Columbus with Adam Fantilli and in Anaheim with Cutter Gauthier.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
What is going on with Cutter Gauthier?
Cory Schneider: “Well, yeah, you just covered a couple of my follow-up questions there, so I’m just going to pivot real quick before we let you go. And in terms of what I discussed: hamstringing your payroll. Too many guys making too much money. Where we have a Cutter Gauthier- is he close, or is there any movement there? Adam Fantilli, a couple of restricted guys who are still out there that are looking for new deals, especially with the price that continues to go up for everybody.”
Elliotte Friedman: “Well, Fantilli, I hadn’t heard much except there was a gap, I think. Look, I think there was a before (Leo) Carlsson and an after Carlsson price with Fantilli. And for what Fantilli’s after Carlsson price would be, I don’t think Columbus has gotten there yet. Now, I haven’t heard that that’s on the road to any serious trouble, but I just heard that the price change in Columbus hadn’t gotten there yet?
Cutter Gauthier and Adam Fantilli are Waiting to be Paid
With Gauthier, I had heard rumors of some progress, but it’s going to be a big number. It’s going to be a really, really big number. And I think one of the things we’ll be watching over the next couple of weeks, Cory, is what Anaheim tries to do to create some cap room because they’re going to have to do some roster surgery to get this time.”
NHLRumors.com Note: As we have documented, the situation surrounding Cutter Gauthier and the Anaheim Ducks could have been avoided had GM Pat Verbeek taken care of his own business last year when he extended Jackson LaCombe. Verbeek’s hardball negotiating tactics allowed the Philadelphia Flyers to offer sheet Leo Carlsson at $18 million a season, which Anaheim had to match.
But the $36 million in cap space disappeared quickly after the extensions for Carlsson and Pavel Mintyukov ($7.2 million AAV). The Ducks only have around $9 million in cap space to sign Cutter Gauthier, who is looking for $15-$16 million a season on his next contract. So who does Verbeek trade? Chris Kreider, Frank Vatrano, or Alex Killorn.
Anaheim Ducks Need to Sign Cutter Gauthier Before Training Camp
As for the Blue Jackets and Adam Fantilli, word is that he will be in Columbus for training camp. The two parties are negotiating a price, but the belief is it will be a five-year deal. However, the question is what the AAV is. Reports indicate Fantilli could land somewhere between $13.5 and $14.5 million. But he has an argument for Connor Bedard money, which is $15 million a season and Carlsson money at $18 million.
Like the Ducks, the Blue Jackets need to clear some space and will do that when Elvis Merzlikins goes on LTIR after offseason surgery.
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