Cutter Gauthier, Ducks Agree to $81M Contract After Historic Leo Carlsson Deal, Updated Salary Cap
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- The Anaheim Ducks signed restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract, with approximately $69.5 million in signing bonuses, securing him through the 2031-32 season.
- Gauthier's $13.5 million average annual cap hit ties him for the fifth-highest salary among NHL players and leaves the Ducks with just over $2 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season.
- This signing follows Anaheim's recent big investment in retaining center Leo Carlsson with a five-year, $90 million offer sheet, highlighting the team's commitment to building a strong young core.
- Ducks GM Pat Verbeek praised Gauthier as a key goal-scoring talent poised to develop into an elite NHL player, emphasizing the importance of keeping him in the organization.
- Gauthier, who earned All-Rookie Team honors in 2024-25 and scored 69 points in 76 games in 2025-26, has spent his entire NHL career with the Ducks.
