Flyers' top prospect declines invite to training camp

There's no denying the fact that the Philadelphia Flyers are a changed team under new general manager Daniel Briere.

Briere has wasted no time in re-shaping this team in his own image, shipping out the likes of Kevin Hayes, Ivan Provorov and others in his short time in charge of the team. For the first time in a long time there's a real sense of optimism amongst the Flyers' fanbase, in part because of Briere's wheeling and dealing and also in part because of the team's drafting of potential superstar Matvei Michkov. The Flyers' prospect pipeline has been pretty empty in recent years, but Michkov's addition immediately vaults the team into having one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. 

Michkov has immense potential, but his murky future makes him a bit of a gamble for the Flyers. Last year's top pick though, Cutter Gauthier, he looks like a can't miss prospect. Or... at least it appeared that way...

The 2022 5th overall selection has declined the Flyers' invitation to their prospects camp and... well... not even Briere is sure why.

From Briere on Gauthier's decision to opt out of prospects camp:

"Cutter was invited, declined to come. We're assuming that is because he's played a lot of hockey with the World Championship, lots of travel. We're not too worried about that."

- Daniel Briere

And then on the Flyers' chances of signing Gauthier this offseason:

"We'll find out a little bit more. We're trying to figure out why he didn't want to come. But at this point I am not too worried about that."

- Daniel Briere

I dunno about you guys... but if I were a fan of a rebuilding team whose two best prospects have a murky future with the team I'd be a little nervous.