Insider reveals insane blockbuster that almost happened

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Sam Hutch
January 12, 2024 (4:27 PM)

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NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Philadelphia Flyers almost traded Bowen Byram for Cutter Gauthier.

When the Philadelphia Flyers traded their top prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks because he didn't want to play for the team, a lot of fans and media members alike were surprised. Getting a young player like Jamie Drysdale seemed like a pretty good asset going the other way, but could the Flyers have gotten more for Gauthier? It appears so.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on his podcast, 32 Thoughts, the Flyers originally were in talks with the Colorado Avalanche about defender Bowen Byram; take a look.

Friedman on Flyers/Avs/Cutter Gauthier (32TP): «I think Philly did ask about Bowen Byram and I just think Colorado wasn't going thereI suspect Colorado's answer was we are not doing this 1-for-1, it's got to be more than Gauthier for Byram

The Flyers approached the Avalanche about a 1-for-1 deal, Gauthier for Byram, but obviously the Avalanche weren't too keen on that idea and wanted more for their young star.

This lead to the Flyers settling for a deal with the Ducks and Drysdale in return, which is still a decent pick up for a prospect that hasn't signed or played a single game in the National Hockey League.

Could you imagine if the Flyers would've gotten Byram instead of Gauthier though? It would've flipped the NHL on it's head