Something that got lost in the shuffle right before the Cutter Gauthier selection on Thursday night.

Bucci was talking about the Flyers offseason when he wondered if Johnny Gaudreau would become a Flyer. Kevin Weekes, ESPN Hockey Insider, squeezed in a “yes” and the whole desk laughed:

Kevin Weekes says Gaudreau will be a Flyer before the Cutter Gauthier pick (via u/guyfromphilly on Reddit) pic.twitter.com/rxcfMvfphi

— Follow Crossing Broad (@CBroadBurner) July 8, 2022

Seems like Johnny Hockey is coming home! Kevin Weekes broke the Torts coaching news, so you have to think he’s at least a little plugged in with what the Flyers organization is thinking. This has been the rumor since Calgary was eliminated. The announcers didn’t even let Johnny take his skates off before wondering if he already inked a deal with Philly:

Gaudreau might not get to the press conference before his signature is on a Flyers contract pic.twitter.com/VhlB5sSwKS

— The Wooderboys (@wooderboys) May 27, 2022

Free agency starts on July 13 and I’d be shocked if Gaudreau isn’t in the orange and black next season. He’s best friends with Kevin Hayes, his dad is like the Gordon Bombay of the youth hockey leagues, it would be a PR win for a club desperate for one, and he already is rocking an A.J. Brown jersey:

Gaudreau in a AJ Brown jersey? He's coming home. pic.twitter.com/fIthfPFzgE

— Kyle (@kylepaganCB) July 8, 2022

Let the aggressive retool begin.

P.S. If you want a real breakdown of the DeBrincat, Gaudreau, and Gauthier pick last night, Russ and Ant went live with STG:

Hockey Insider Says Johnny Gaudreau Will Become a Flyer