Flyers Host Ducks Amid Gauthier’s Return to Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers (17-20-5) will host the Anaheim Ducks (17-19-5) on Saturday evening at Wells Fargo Center, marking the first time rookie Cutter Gauthier will play in Philadelphia since being traded by the Flyers in January 2024. The game, set for 7:00 p.m. EST, will be televised on NBCSP and broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic.

Gauthier, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, was traded to the Ducks in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick. The move came after Gauthier refused to communicate with the Flyers organization about his future, leading to frustration among team management and fans. Gauthier, who has five goals and 13 assists this season, anticipates a hostile reception from the Philadelphia crowd. “I’m anticipating probably a lot of boos, for sure,” Gauthier said. “They’re probably not the happiest fans with me.”

The Flyers are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, including a 4-1 defeat to the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Head coach John Tortorella has made several lineup adjustments, including inserting Swedish forward Olle Lycksell into the lineup. Lycksell, who has 24 points in 25 games for the AHL‘s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, will make his first NHL appearance since December 22. “He’s come a long way,” Tortorella said of Lycksell. “I think he may also be a candidate for a penalty-killing unit experiment.”

Anaheim, meanwhile, enters the game on a two-game losing streak after a 6-2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The Ducks have focused their rebuild around young stars Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Gauthier. McTavish, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, has 17 points this season, while Carlsson, the No. 2 pick in 2023, has 15 points.

The Flyers and Ducks last met on December 28 in Anaheim, where Philadelphia secured a 3-1 victory. However, the Flyers struggled for much of that game before pulling away late. Saturday’s matchup will be the second and final meeting between the teams this season.

Flyers captain Sean Couturier acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding Gauthier’s return. “There might be a little more emotions in the building,” Couturier said. “I hope we take that to our advantage and play better.”

Gauthier, who has one point in his last five games, remains focused on his development. “I’m not here to please everyone,” he said. “I’m here to do what’s best for me and do what’s right for my development.”