The Anaheim Ducks open the preseason portion of their 2026-27 NHL campaign in less than a week — and they still have one critical piece of offseason business to complete.

Cutter Gauthier, who broke out to the tune of 41 goals and 69 points in his second full campaign, remains a restricted free agent without a new contract.

Negotiations between player and club are ongoing, and as The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported in his latest NHL rumblings Monday, Gauthier’s camp has made significant progress with general manager Pat Verbeek.

“The positive news on Monday is that there’s been progress and substantive talks on Gauthier, who’s a restricted free agent,” the hockey insider noted. “Nothing is done until it’s done, but the sides are determined to get it across the finish line. The sides met over the weekend, and the dialogue was slated to continue Monday.”

LeBrun also offered a contract prediction for the 22-year-old sniper.

“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think it will land as a six-year deal if it gets done. I’m also not sure if Gauthier will get Connor Bedard’s $15 million per year, but something in the $13 million to $14 million range wouldn’t surprise me.”

A six-year deal carrying a $13 million AAV would pay Gauthier $78 million through 2031-32. That total value isn’t far off the five-year, $90 million offer sheet the Ducks matched for Leo Carlsson earlier this summer.

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Gauthier’s performance during the 2026 postseason will also carry weight. He was excellent, recording 12 points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games as Anaheim eliminated the back-to-back defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in Round 1.

Although the run ended with a six-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, Gauthier was terrific throughout his first postseason appearance.

“There will be relief, to be sure, for the Ducks if and when this deal gets done,” LeBrun added. “There’s been a lot of drama in the wake of the stunning offer sheet Leo Carlsson signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, which was matched by the Ducks, and some deserved criticism of how it was handled by Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek.”

The clock is ticking, and it’ll be interesting to see whether an agreement is reached before Anaheim’s preseason opener against the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 20.

The Ducks begin their 2026-27 regular season against the Golden Knights on Oct. 2.