NHL fans may have noticed Saturday's game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks has been getting enhanced attention online.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
But why would a midseason matchup between two of the league's bottom-dwelling teams be causing so much fervor?
Pointed comments by Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella and Anaheim forward Cutter Gauthier ahead of the contest are actually to blame.
"Obviously with all that happened it's definitely been a game circled on my calendar and I'm super excited to play," Gauthier told reporters Friday. "There's been a lot of anticipation leading up ... I'm ready to go out there and play my game."
The 2022 first-round selection by Philadelphia (No. 5 overall) was referencing his dramatic request for a trade from the "City of Brotherly Love" in January after refusing to play for the team.
That episode, kept secret until the trade with Anaheim was announced, led to speculation over the reason why Gauthier wanted out. Hesitations over playing for Tortorella topped that list.
"I don't give a s--t what he says," Tortorella told reporters in a news conference Friday regarding Gauthier's comments. "I’m not interested in answering any questions about Cutter Gauthier. I don’t wish anything bad on the kid, I’m not going to answer any questions on it."
Philadelphia received defenseman Jamie Drysdale (No. 6 overall in 2020) and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft as part of the trade.
Gauthier has recorded four goals and 14 points through 33 games for the Ducks while Drysdale owns a minus-13 rating on the Flyers' third defense pairing.
It's unclear if any remaining hostilities between Tortorella and Gauthier will spill over onto the ice at the Honda Center on Saturday but fans will likely tune in to find out.
