‘It’s a bunch of bulls—’: John Tortorella on Cutter Gauthier’s reception vs. Flyers

Despite the icy reception Anaheim Ducks left winger Cutter Gauthier received from the Philadelphia faithful in his return to Pennsylvania on Saturday, Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella would rather focus on the task at hand for his club, one in the midst of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

“I think it’s a bunch of bullshit,” Tortorella told reporters postgame. “All I told our team is let’s worry about ourselves and play a hockey game. The bullshit is for you [reporters]. All the drama, that’s for you guys, whatever you need to do with it.

“I hope we can play in front of a crowd like that about something meaningful … That’s when we want to see a crowd like that, not all this stuff you guys are talking about. I want it to be that we’re a team to be reckoned with in a playoff series or whatever it may be, not this shit.”

Saturday’s showdown between the Ducks and Flyers marked the first time Gauthier had played in Philadelphia since refusing to sign with the club that drafted him fifth overall in 2022, ultimately leading to his trade to Anaheim last January. In return, the Flyers received defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who scored the second goal in Saturday’s 6-0 rout.

On the season, Gauthier has made 42 appearances with the Ducks in which he has registered five goals and 13 assists for 18 points. Meanwhile, Drysdale has seen 31 showings with the Flyers in 2024-25 in which he has collected nine points counting two goals and seven assists. The Flyers also received a second-round selection in the upcoming NHL Draft as part of the deal.

With Saturday’s victory over the Ducks, the Flyers improved to 18-20-5 on the season and five points back of the Metropolitan Division rival Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers will shoot for their second straight victory when they return to the ice Monday versus the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.