Nash Daily: Ducks-Flyers Blockbuster, Askarov AHL POTW

The Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers pulled off the casual, ho-hum Monday night blockbuster swap of top prospects as Philly sent forward Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick.

Gauthier was the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Flyers organization and Drysdale the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Ducks organization according to The Athletic. Gauthier, who won gold with the United States at the World Junior Championship last week, reportedly told the Flyers last month that had no intention of signing with them.

"I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall"

Torts gave his reaction to the Flyers' trade 😳

(via @NHLFlyers) pic.twitter.com/TikXzP3EBY

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 9, 2024

Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey broke down the deal and provided some insight on the trade, including Gauthier’s questionable behavior toward the Flyers.

Nashville Predators prospect and Milwaukee Admirals goaltender Yaroslav Askarov was named the AHL Player of the Week after recording back-to-back shutouts in his last two starts. He’s the second Admirals player in as many weeks to win the award after Denis Gurianov won it the previous week.

Predators stories you may have missed

The Predators have had their share of defensive issues recently, but there are a few potential solutions they should embrace to help turn things around.

With Askarov’s recent performances, the Predators have an intriguing decision to make about his future. The Nashville Hockey Now team debates what that future will be along with breaking down which free agents the team could keep and part ways with on the latest Gold Standard podcast.

Central Division standings

1. Winnipeg Jets — 26-9-4, 56 points
2. Colorado Avalanche — 25-12-3, 53 points
3. Dallas Stars — 22-11-5, 49 points
4. Nashville Predators — 22-17-1, 45 points
5. St. Louis Blues — 20-17-1, 41 points
6. Arizona Coyotes — 19-17-2, 40 points
7. Minnesota Wild — 17-17-4, 38 points
8. Chicago Blackhawks — 12-26-2, 26 points

Around the NHL & National Hockey Now

Canadiens Reportedly Turned Down Cutter Gauthier Trade (Montreal Hockey Now)

(+) One Reason Jonathan Drouin’s Confidence Is Sky High (Colorado Hockey Now)

Red Wings Prospect Sandin Pellikka Out With Serious Upper-Body Injury (Detroit Hockey Now)

Blackhawks Prospect Report: Gavin Hayes Gets Traded by Flint (Chicago Hockey Now)

Jack Quinn Is Turning Around the Sabres (Buffalo Hockey Now)