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Flyers Defenseman Jamie Drysdale Reveals He Was Hurt All Season

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Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo: AP)

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Jamie Drysdale didn’t have his best season in 2023-24.



Wednesday, as a sweet breeze blew off the ocean near the Philadelphia Flyers’ caravan in Ocean City, the 22-year-old defenseman revealed the reason.

It turns out he was bothered by a core-muscle injury, also known as a sports hernia, since Game 1 with Anaheim.

After being acquired from Anaheim in the Cutter Gauthier deal on Jan. 8, Drysdale competed in just 24 games and had five points (two goals, three assists) with the Flyers last season. In addition, Drysdale missed a little over a month with an injured left shoulder, so it was difficult for him to get into a rhythm.

A couple of months ago, the puck-moving defender underwent hernia surgery and began skating without any pain last week. He said he will be at 100 percent when camp starts in September. With more mobility, he is a candidate to run the Philadelphia Flyers’ top power play unit.

Playing with the core-muscle injury “was not a lot of fun,” Drysdale said, adding he was able to get through it and “manage as best we could.”

But when he had surgery, Drysdale said, doctors learned the injury was more severe than they originally thought.

Could be with Seeler

There’s a good chance he begins the season on the second pairing, next to Nick Seeler. Cam York and Travis Sanheim figure to compose the top pairing.

In 2024-25, Drysdale “should be in a much better position, should be a lot freer to play,” general manager Danny Briere said recently. “Jamie was pretty banged up, and it was impressive, the character that he showed. Coming back from the offseason surgery that he had, being traded, trying to adapt to a new team. Couldn’t skate at 100%, and that’s kind of the key to his game.”

Drysdale was selected No. 6 overall in 2020.

Briere said he was “excited to see a Jamie Drysdale fully healthy next season. I think we’re going to see a different player. What it has shown us this year with him is the type of person he is; the work ethic, the character. Those are all the things we kept hearing about him that was really high, and that’s what he showed us. Most players would not have been willing to fight through and play through the injuries that he was dealing with. They would have preferred just getting it done and get out of the way. He fought through and put in time for his rehab. Not just for the shoulder; the other issue with the core area. . . I was really impressed with how Jamie handled himself.”

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Dave

So they Traded a top5 pick for ANOTHER LTIR risk who hasn’t played in two seasons now? How is this a good return in any universe?

Romus

“….disclosed that he had actually been dealing with the core muscle injury since Game 1 of the 2023-24 season, something that preceded his trade to the Flyers by several months…”….Flyers accepted the trade with the added piece in the deal…a 2nd round pick in the 2025 draft….supposedly a deeper draft than this years.

Dave

McGroarty should already be a Flyer. Idc who he knows. He’s about thr best 1C prospect this tram is going to get while STILL in draft purgatory and no sight of top5 Hagens potential picks in site. Zegras and McGroarty should already be slotted in the top6 and two Veteran should be on their way out!
Why is Laughton with some of the WORST METRICS of ANY PLAYER IN THE NHL still here and wearing an “A”? What LOSING “culture” is this guy making acceptable in the Locker room? Laughton is a clown. I refuse to watch another game with this rainbow worshipping clown on the lineup sucking it up every other shift and getting PowerPlay time to embarrass this team further. Trade these overrated veterans and aquire top10 Draft picks that HAVE NP PROTECTION!!! Or tank like every other successful rebuilding team and draft top5 elite potential talent for a few years. Before you waste Michkov’s potential with low ceiling prospects and overpaid bottom6 forwards

Homer

Dave, have you considered anger management? It may help with your issues. Try that or alcohol. You need to relax, psycho.

Bill M

Homer , he’s right, and you are too. Enjoy the passion Dave .

FatEagle

McGroarty is not a 1C projection. He’s likely a second line forward. Funny thing is for all the anger fans have with the Luchanko pick, he’s a comparable to player to McGroarty by some scouts.

I do like your idea of trading all of the overrated veterans for top 10 draft picks. Definitely a smart move. Can’t believe other GMs haven’t though to try that move throughout the history of the Flyers franchise. You might be on to something there…

Also, did Laughton sleep with your wife or something?

bIGE

There he is folks . Your first #1 defenseman since mark Howe

GMan

Who said anything about Drysdale being a number one DMan? He may get there in a few years with Bonk if they both ascend at the same time.
You need to realize that the situation that the team is in is not going to change overnight. It’s a process. If you don’t like it, pick another team to root for.

Malikai71

He is 100% healthy until his next injury! I would want nothing more but 4 this kid to be a stud with the Flyers! But, his injury history suggests otherwise. I’m not trying to bust on him, but, I will believe it when I see it. Soon, Torts will be saying, Drysdale is always injured! Sound familiar, see Allison….

GMan

Comparing Drysdale to Allison is ridiculous. Drysdale has already shown more than Allison did his entire career here.
Now that Drysdale is fully healthy hopefully he can continue to learn the nuances of the Flyers system and he can hopefully ascend to the top pairing with Bonk within two years.
At the very least, within three years the power play will look awesome with Drysdale, Luchenko and Michkov.

Bill M

The last 3 seasons cmon!

Bill M

Flyers medical staff earning their keep traded for Drysdale and Johansen anybody check these things out?????