Gauthier’s Contract Puzzle | NHL News

NHL News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 19, 2026 · 1m

Cutter Gauthier’s contract talks with the Ducks are heating up as he eyes a massive payday—possibly matching Leo Carlsson’s $18M AAV—despite the team’s tight cap space. With 41 goals last season, Gauthier’s elite production at 21 makes him a rare commodity, sparking comparisons to future stars like Macklin Celebrini. The Ducks face a tough choice: offer a long-term max deal to lock him in, or negotiate a bridge contract (8-10M for 2-3 years) to let him prove his value before hitting the open market with a higher cap. A bridge deal could be the smart move—giving Gauthier room to grow and set…