Ducks Star Restricted Free Agent Rejects Big Contract Offer

Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier has declined a substantial contract offer from his own team. According to NHL Network's Paul Shaheen, the star rejected a four-year, $52 million contract with an average annual value of $13 million. Gauthier's agent, Kurt Overhardt, communicated this decision to Shaheen, who shared the news on X. As per PuckPedia, the Ducks were already over the $9 million salary cap at the time.

Gauthier's decision to reject the offer is understandable, given that the Ducks recently signed Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million contract, and other top players like Macklin Celebrini ($18.8 million AAV) and Connor Bedard ($15 million AAV) secured lucrative deals. Gauthier, who had an impressive season with 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points in 76 games, and then a strong playoff performance, is in a strong position to wait for a better contract. The outcome of his new deal will be intriguing to watch.