Quoting: NorthernLeafsFan05
Because Cutter will be the perfect compliment to their forward group and betters fits the Carlsson timeline. Obviously there's a possibility Cutter doesn't piece it together at the NHL level, but let's be honest, he's going to be great. Drysdales injury scares and the Ducks abundance of quality defense prospects (Mintyukov, Zellweger, LaCombe, Helleson, Luneau, Dioncio) makes it clear why they felt like they could move on from Jamie. Like I said, I think Drysdale will be great in Philly, I absolutely love the fit between those two teams, but the Ducks did very well here.
You say did very well but they overpaid for an unproven player. You say "Let's be honest, he's going to be great", and ya know for all intents and purposes yeah, he probably will be good but there's a chance he isn't good. Or can't figure it out. Or becomes Zegras part 2 like what you think he's having a good third year? Like he's just a complete unknown at the next level. You seem to think he's guaranteed to be great but there is no guarantee of that. He is much more of an unknown than Drysdale is.
Drysdale, right this exact second, makes Philly a much better team than a guy who was being...cantankerous....about playing for them. They also got an extra pick, most likely in the 30s, where it's pretty clear you can still find legit NHL players. In fact, most of those Ducks prospects you mentioned were 2nd rd picks.
Minty is good but he's a player now he ain't getting sent down. He was #10 in his draft year. LaCombe might be better later but as of right now he plays a lot and is -20 something so he's more like a prospect getting NHL time. He was a guy picked in the 30s. The rest are not even close to being anything other than potentially NHL caliber D guys. But Luneau and Zellweger were also 2nd rd picks in the 30s.
Drysdale has top 4 potential and is already on a solid deal. I get where you're coming from, the future. This deal in the long run will of course come down to how each players career unfolds.
If Cutter turns out to be a stellar player for the Ducks so be it, but as it stands right now, the Ducks overpaid for an unproven prospect. If anybody cleaned up its Philly to get the extra draft pick most likely somewhere in the 30s.