Carchidi: Flyers Need Jamie Drysdale to Become a Big Piece

The Philadelphia Flyers don’t know what they have yet with Jamie Drysdale.

Do they have a guy who will one day blossom into a true No. 1 defenseman? That was the projection when Anaheim made him the No. 6 overall draft pick in 2020.

Or do they have a player who will be a less-than-spectacular defender on the second pairing?

Considering he was traded for a player who was then the jewel of the Flyers’ future –– forward Cutter Gauthier, who didn’t want to play in Philadelphia and is now the latest villain in the J.D. Drew mold — Philly hopes he becomes one of the team’s cornerstones. At the least, the Flyers need him to be a highly productive player and play a major role in their rebuild.

In January, you’ll recall, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Drysdale and a second-round draft pick in 2025 for Gauthier, who was just the type of offensive force the Orange and Black desperately need. Gauthier was drafted No. 5 overall in 2022 and has starred at Boston College.

Drysdale, 22, is well aware of Gauthier’s pedigree.

Added motivation

He said getting traded for such a mega-prospect “absolutely” motivates him to show what he can do. “It’s nice that they believe in me and liked the deal,” he said.

The good news is that Drysdale, coming off an injury-plagued season that included a shoulder ailment, is now healthy and ready to utilize his speed after undergoing core-muscle surgery a couple months ago. Because he was injured most of last season, he never looked like himself.

“When we got him, he was probably only 50 or 60 percent (healthy), honestly. He’s been through a lot of stuff,” said winger Joel Farabee, who has become close with Drysdale — they have spent time together this summer near the Jersey Shore in Marmora, staying at Farabee’s parents’ home. “It’s been really nice to see him skating this summer. He’s obviously a great skater, and when he’s playing  at 100 percent, he controls the game.

‘Can Control the Play’

“It’s something our D has needed for a long time — a guy who can control the play like he does,” Farabee added. “We’re super-pumped to have him, whether it’s five-on-five, power play, you name it. He’s special and he’s a really great player.”

Drysdale resumed skating last week, and with his eye-opening mobility, he can show fans he wasn’t just a “consolation prize” who was acquired because Gauthier put the Flyers in a bad spot by demanding a trade.

From his discussions with general manager Danny Briere and club president Keith Jones, the Flyers got good value for Gauthier, Dan Hilferty said.

Hilferty, the Flyers’ chairman, said when the trade was made, he could feel “the excitement in that room that we could get a Jamie Drysdale to join this team. We really didn’t feel like we were forced” to settle for a player. “We feel like we got a great young player that can be molded and developed, along with these other young guys.”

He predicted Drysdale “will be a key part of this team.”

Needs to stay healthy

Drysdale was asked if he has set any goals for the season, such as quarterbacking the Flyers’ top power-play unit, or making his way onto the team’s No. 1 pairing.

“Honestly, I don’t think too much of it like that,” he said at the Flyers caravan in Ocean City on Wednesday. “I just want to play good hockey and play every game — and do what I can for the team.”

Because of injuries, he played just 34 combined games last season with the Ducks and Flyers.

“I’ve been in the league for four years, but I always say I’ve only played about a year and a half,” he said.

He feels more at home in Philadelphia than he did in Anaheim. Drysdale is renting a place in Center City, an area where several of the younger Flyers live. Since he grew up in Toronto, he feels comfortable being in a big city.

“It’s pretty different (than Anaheim). Orange County is pretty laid back. Beach vibes and stuff like that,” he said. “And then to come here, it’s a city with more stuff going on. I’m from Toronto so I’m used to that and avid sports fans and a lot of stuff to do. I’m loving it.”

Sam Carchidi writes a weekly column for Philly Hockey Now. He and Jeff Hare are working on a TV series on the Flyers’ glory days, tentatively called “Bullies.” Carchidi can be reached at samcarchidi55@gmail.com.