Following a Major Trade, Death Threats Emerge Against NHL Player
In an unexpected twist, ex-Philadelphia Flyers player Kevin Hayes strongly refuted playing any part in Cutter Gauthier's choice to not join the team. Speaking on Tuesday, Hayes, currently with the St. Louis Blues, voiced his irritation over the negative reactions he faced on social media. He dismissed a report by a Flyers blog which insinuated his influence in Gauthier's seeming snub of the franchise.
Hayes stressed the inaccuracy of the allegations, asserting,
He further detailed the severe backlash he encountered, encompassing death threats and unsettling remarks regarding his family. The situation's aftermath intensified, highlighting the fervent online reaction to the unfounded claims.
The Flyers recently dealt Gauthier, an up-and-coming forward, to the Anaheim Ducks, securing defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round draft pick for 2025. This move came after Gauthier's surprising shift in stance since his fifth overall selection in the 2022 draft, a detail shared by Flyers' general manager Daniel Brière.
Brière revealed that Gauthier initially showed a keen interest in joining the Flyers at the draft, but subsequently changed his mind, leading the team to discreetly handle the matter in anticipation of a possible reversal in his decision. Nevertheless, Gauthier's continued lack of enthusiasm for playing with the Flyers compelled the team to proceed with the trade.
John Tortorella, the head coach of the Flyers, responded to Gauthier's seeming disinterest, candidly commenting,
Tortorella avoided further conversation about Gauthier, instead shifting attention to Jamie Drysdale, the new addition to the team acquired in the trade.
Hayes, having played for the Flyers for four seasons prior to his trade, addressed a matter that appeared unrelated to him. The 31-year-old forward, currently playing for the Blues, maintains his high performance with nine goals and 19 points across 38 games this season.
As the situation calms down, the surprising developments in Gauthier's career continue to emerge, leading the Flyers and their supporters to deal with the aftermath of a trade spurred by a young player's shift in preference.
| POLL | ||
9 JANVIER | 190 ANSWERS Following a Major Trade, Death Threats Emerge Against NHL Player Do you believe that NHL fans are overreacting to this situation? | ||
| Yes | 142 | 74.7 % |
| No | 48 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
