NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provides major details on Gauthier's sour ending in Philadelphia

Flyers GM Daniel Briere revealed the struggles of trying to communicate with Gauthier, who declined to meet during the World Junior Championships in Sweden. There was a breakdown in communication.

Flyers management even flew to Sweden to see Gauthier, and he declined to meet with them after a game:

What's more troubling is Gauthier's apparent change of mind about playing for the team that drafted him. Briere highlighted the flip-flop, saying, "He looked at us at the draft and told us that he was built to be a Flyer. Wanted to be a Flyer. A few months later, he told us that he didn't want to be a Flyer."

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman added more details, suggesting Gauthier's decision might have roots in a conversation late last season. The Flyers, dealing with cap constraints, couldn't sign him immediately. Friedman explained, "Philly thought we're still happy to have you and we want you and we're gonna give you a great chance to make this team next year."

However, Gauthier might have seen this differently, thinking the Flyers weren't too enthusiastic. Friedman speculated, "I think that at the end of last year when Philly kind of said we can't do this right now, it's possible that it was not received as it was intended and it drove a wedge into the relationship."

The situation shows how player-team dynamics can get complicated, with misunderstandings leading to unexpected outcomes. As the Flyers move forward with Drysdale, the breakdown in the Gauthier-Flyers relationship continues to be a topic of discussion in the hockey community.