Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Jamie Drysdale became a fan favorite in just his short tenure with the Flyers. Drysdale was originally week to week, but he has been practicing as of late in a regular jersey as of late. Today, is a day of great news as Drysdale will return to the lineup tonight.
“I think he (Jamie Drysdale) avoided the worst case, so that’s good news,” said Cam York on Jamie Drysdale following morning skate the, “Gotta stay positive, he’s so young and got a lot of ways to go, so not the end of the World.”
“I think he avoided the worst case, so that’s good news.” – Cam York on the Jamie Drysdale injury
The trade couldn’t have worked out better for the orange and black, as Jamie Drysdale has fit in just fine in Philly, “From the second I got on the ice, seeing the crowd. It was a pretty unbelievable environment and a really fun spot to play in. Hell of a first game to be a part of,” Drysdale said before his injury.
Drysdale hails from Toronto, Ontario and is just 21-years-old. Yes you read that right just 21-years-old. He was selected by the Ducks in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. Drysdale has five points (1g,4a) in 10 games played with Anaheim this season. The 5’11, 185 pound defenseman has 45 points (8g,37a) in 123 games in four seasons with the Ducks (2020-24). He missed majority of the 2022-23 season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, “I think I’m just a puck-moving D-man,” Drysdale said. “I can move really well up the ice. I’ve already talked to the coaches here and picking up some stuff. I’m exciting to learn more.”
That’s the good thing, even with how well he has performed in his brief stint as a Flyer. He still has a lot to learn. John Tortorella said that he believes he can be a rover in the future, so Drysdale has to keep on learning to make that possible.
A young Defenseman in Drysdale is a very good skater. Actually, that’s his top asset to his game. He can transition out of the zone and up the ice with the best of them, mainly due to his speed. He hits the neutral zone with speed, and when that happens he’s hard to stop. Drysdale can rush the puck up the ice, while making plays. He uses his skating and puck handling skills, to become strong in transition. Drysdale has a good hockey IQ and sees the ice well, thus he’s able to make the right place and passes two is open teammates. That is what makes him elusive on the Power Play, he always seems to find the open man.
His bread and butter is the Power Play, as the Flyers will finally now have a quarterback on the top Power Play unit immediately. He’s an excellent skater, keeps pucks in at the blue line, and makes the right plays with the man advantage. If not for injuries he may have close to 100 points as a defenseman in the NHL for his career at this point.
In the end thankfully it doesn’t sound like a season ending injury. Hopefully, Jamie can come back soon and continue to be a big part of the Flyers future.
“Anytime you get a player back like that it helps,” Cam York said following morning skate today of Drysdale. “I came in and they said today is the day, and I saw my number on the board,” Drysdale said after morning skate. “It sucks being out.”
Hopefully, Drysdale can come into the lineup tonight and provide the team with a spark for the late playoff push.
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