King of details: Cutter Gauthier
King of details: Cutter Gauthier
When it comes to the finer details, Cutter Gauthier stood out as a master. The most telling statistic highlighting this prowess is xG Buildup. Essentially, each event, encompassing retrievals, breakups, breakouts, entries, and offensive zone passes, is assigned a value based on the expected outcome of that play. For instance, an entry up the middle is more likely to result in a scoring chance than one up the side, and the stats accurately reflect this.
Gauthier led the tournament in xG Buildup, encapsulating his impact perfectly. He not only completed the most controlled entries (35), but also excelled in exits under pressure (12), and showcased a unique ability to utilize the inside on numerous transition plays (18). In the offensive zone, he led in faceoffs directly leading to chances (8), ranked second in completed slot passes (14), third in scoring chance assists (17), and featured prominently among the tournament leaders in secondary shot assists and shot assists from the neutral and defensive zones.
With impeccable positioning, cross-ice vision, inside drives, and precise passes through opponents, Gauthier expertly orchestrated Team USA’s offense across the entire rink. This performance represented Gauthier at his peak, with still room for growth.
Despite being a machine in creating advantages, Gauthier also negated many opportunities. While possessing a lethal shot, his effectiveness is compromised by an inclination towards low-percentage shots, particularly off the rush. His sole high-danger shot in the entire tournament at 5-on-5 is insufficient, highlighting the need for more patience and improved play selection. With these refinements, Gauthier has the potential to evolve into a formidable offensive force. Until then, he stands as one of the prospect sphere’s premier complementary hubs.
An excerpt from EP's World Junior notebook.
