Flyers general manager Danny Briere shed some light on defenseman Jamie Drysdale surgery. And from the sound of it, he’s optimistic the young blueliner should be ready to go when the season begins in October.
“He got checked after the season and there’s a significant injury there that he needed surgery on,” Briere said Thursday while attending the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. “He’s had a lot of injuries to deal with the last few years so he wanted to play, so I give him a lot of credit. He showed a lot of character, leadership, the way he handled it. He should be in a much better position (next season), should be a lot freer to play.”
Briere wouldn’t go into specifics but in mid-April stated a procedure was needed to resolve issues in Drysdale’s core muscle or lower-body region. The general manager also said it should enable the defenseman to maximize his strengths, particularly his skating.
Drysdale was acquired on Jan. 8 along with a 2025 second-round pick from Anaheim in exchange for disgruntled prospect Cutter Gauthier. On arriving Drysdale’s speed was instantly noticeable, particularly in the first few games as a Flyer. Unfortunately in late February he was hit cleanly on an open-ice check from Pittsburgh’s Jansen Harkins. Drysdale immediately headed for the locker room with what looked like an injury to his left shoulder. He missed 16 games with what initially was feared to be a season-ending injury, returning April 1 in a tilt against the Islanders. In 24 games with the Flyers he scored two goals to go with three assists for five points.
News of his surgery and more importantly his recovery should ease some fears among Flyers fans. Drysdale’s has had his share of injuries in recent years. After playing nearly a complete season in 2021-22, Drysdale appeared in just eight games the following season. The player was injured in a game against Vegas and needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. According to NBC Sports the injury required between four to six months of recovery.
A seemingly healthy, rested Drysdale ready for training camp should be a huge positive, allowing the young defenseman a chance to develop under both coach John Tortorella and perhaps more importantly assistant coach (and defensive guru) Brad Shaw. Shaw’s work with defensemen in recent years had paid off huge dividends whether it’s the emergence of Travis Sanheim this past season, the development of Cam York into a steadying presence or Nick Seeler basically going from near-retirement to signing a four-year deal before the trade deadline. Add in the work he’s done and the improvement in the oft-injured Rasmus Ristolainen and it looks like Drysdale should be in good hands.
Whether Drysdale and the future pick turns into a fair return for Gauthier is anyone’s guess. What is clear though is Drysdale will be entering the 2024-25 season healthy for what sounds like the first time in a while.
