Gauthier Sets High Expectations for 2026-27 Season with Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier falls during a matchup against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on October 9, 2025. Photo by Jenn G.
Written by Ryan McAvoy
Since Cutter Gauthier rejected the Ducks’ reported four-year, $52 million contract offer in August, the 22-year-old remains unsigned as Anaheim works to find a deal that keeps one of its most important young players in the fold.
That contract situation has only added to the expectations surrounding Gauthier heading into the 2026-27 season. After establishing himself as one of Anaheim’s top offensive threats last season, the pressure will be on him to prove that his breakout performance was only the beginning.
Gauthier finished his second NHL season with 41 goals and 69 points in 76 games, leading the Ducks in both categories. His 41 goals also made him just the fourth player in franchise history to reach the 40-goal mark in a season.
“Personally, I thought I had a great year,” said Gauthier in an exit interview with NHL.com. “But there’s definitely a lot more to give in the future and I’m super excited to get back to work in the summer.”
That mindset could be important for Gauthier as Anaheim looks to build on its first playoff appearance since 2018. The Ducks' young core has already shown what it can accomplish, with Leo Carlsson recording 29 goals and 67 points and Beckett Sennecke finishing his rookie season with 23 goals and 60 points. Together, Gauthier, Carlsson and Sennecke became the first trio of forwards age 22 or younger to each record at least 60 points in a season since Toronto's young stars accomplished the feat in 2017-18.
With that much young talent around him, Gauthier's next step does not necessarily have to mean simply scoring more goals. Developing his playmaking could make him an even more complete offensive player and give Anaheim another way to create scoring opportunities.
Gauthier recorded 28 assists last season, compared to 38 from Carlsson and 37 from Sennecke. As opposing teams become more familiar with Gauthier and look to limit his scoring opportunities, finding ways to create for his teammates could make him even harder to defend.
Troy Terry could also benefit from that development. Terry recorded 19 goals and 38 assists in 61 games last season, but he is expected to miss time to begin the season following hip surgery. When he returns, the combination of Terry's playmaking ability and Gauthier's scoring touch could give Anaheim another dangerous offensive option.
“Every team has a core of guys that lead the way and that's something I wanna become and want to embrace with this team,” Gauthier said.
That responsibility is becoming increasingly important for Gauthier. Anaheim's young stars are no longer simply prospects learning how to compete at the NHL level. They are now being asked to help carry a team that reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
The Ducks finished third in the Pacific Division before eliminating the Edmonton Oilers in six games in the first round. They then pushed the Vegas Golden Knights to six games in the second round, giving Anaheim its first postseason series win since 2017.
For Gauthier, the next challenge is turning that breakthrough into consistency.
The Ducks already know he can score. Now, with increased expectations surrounding his next contract, his role within Anaheim's young core and the team's push to become a legitimate contender, Gauthier has an opportunity to show he can be much more than a goal scorer.
If he can take another step while helping Carlsson, Sennecke and the rest of Anaheim's young core continue to develop, the Ducks could have the foundation of an offense capable of keeping them in the playoff picture for years to come.
