Cutter Gauthier highlighted among top NHL Pacific Division left wingers

The Pacific Division of the NHL is noted for a shortage of elite left‑wing talent. Analysts identified three players expected to lead the position in the 2026‑27 season, with Artemi Panarin cited as the division’s current best left winger after moving to the Los Angeles Kings and maintaining a point‑per‑game pace.

Rookie Cutter Gauthier, now with the Anaheim Ducks, finished just outside the league’s top‑10 goal scorers with 41 goals and is projected to command a multi‑year contract worth $12‑13 million, though teams may prefer a shorter deal to manage the rising salary cap. Discussions also referenced veteran options such as Alex Killorn and Chris Kreider as possible trade pieces to free cap space for Gauthier’s signing.