Gauthier Signs 6-Year Extension; Laine Interest Resurfaces

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks announced Cutter Gauthier signed a 6-year extension through the 2031-32 season. The contract carries a $13.5 million AAV with about $69.2 million of the $81 million in signing bonuses per Elliotte Friedman.

The Ducks signed Cutter hours before the new CBA rules kicked in at midnight ET on September 15th. Under the new rules players could sign up to 7 years with their current team. Before a player could sign up to 8 years with the current CBA. Gauthier’s contract is comprised of about 86% in signing bonuses. The new CBA limits the signing bonuses to 60%.

Anaheim was able to make cap room when Chris Kreider agreed to terminate his contract with the team. The move freed up $6.5 million in cap space giving the Ducks the room needed to sign Gauthier. Kreider then subsequently signed a one-year deal worth $2.15 million (+ bonuses) with Montreal.

GM Pat Verbeek on the signing:

“We are pleased to get Cutter signed to a long-term deal and have him in camp on time. He’s a major part of our young core, a pure goal-scoring talent that will continue progressing into an elite NHL player.”

Cutter Gauthier on the signing:

“This is a very exciting day for my family and I. I’m so pleased to be able to sign long term with the Ducks and be part of what I believe is a great future.”

It took a while, but the Ducks were able to sign Gauthier before training camp starts this Thursday. The question is will Verbeek make another move?

According to Puck Pedia, the Ducks have just over $2.07 million in cap space. If Laurent Brossoit is sent down to the minors, then the cap space would increase to $3.17 million. Verbeek could also put Troy Terry on the LTIR, who is eligible since he is projected to not play in 10 games and for at least 24 calendar days, which is the minimum requirement to be put on the LTIR. Terry is expected to be back in the middle of the season so the LTIR benefit is limited to the previous season’s average league salary which was $3,973,228 according to Puck Pedia instead of the full $7 million AAV in his contract.

The LTIR relief is calculated based on if the team is cap compliant or not when the player is placed on the LTIR. If the Ducks are cap compliant on opening day without using LTIR, or use LTIR during the season, then the amount would be $3,973,228 minus Anaheim’s current cap space. If the Ducks are not cap compliant by opening day then it would be equal to the amount over up to the $3,973,228 limit.

There have been rumors in the past of Anaheim’s interest in Patrik Laine and their interest has seemed to resurface recently. Maybe Verbeek can sign him to a team friendly deal and provide some bonuses in a contract.

Regardless if no one else is brought in, then several players will have chances at a full time spot in Anaheim. Nathan Gaucher, Nikita Nesterenko, Tristan Luneau and Roger McQueen will all have excellent chances to make the team out of training camp.

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September 15th, 2026