Flyers Focus: Drysdale Extended, What’s Next

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On Friday, the Flyers signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year contract extension.  The deal carries a $6.5 million average annual value. 

The agreement preempts an arbitration hearing for Drysdale that was scheduled for July 20.  Drysdale is now the Flyers’ highest-paid defenseman, slightly surpassing Travis Sanheim ($6.25 million AAV). As with Trevor Zegras ($9.1 million AAV)  surpassing Travis Konecny  ($8.75 million AAV), this is a reflection of salary cap inflation.

Drysdale, 24, is coming off the best season of his NHL career to date: both offensively (eight goals, 32 points) and as all-around defenseman. He was a shoo-in for the 2025-26 Pelle Lindbergh Memorial as the Flyers’ most improved player as selected by his teammates. It was his second full season with Philadelphia after coming from the Anaheim Ducks. Compiling his first career NHL playoff experience, Drysdale also chipped in 10 points during the Flyers’ 10-game run in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

In a statement released by the team, general manager Daniel Briere said, “Since we acquired him, Jamie has worked extremely hard and taken big steps in his development, and has established himself as a reliable piece on our back end with the ability to impact the game in all situations. We believe his best hockey is still ahead of him, and he’s going to play an important role in strengthening our blue line as we continue to build.”

What’s next for the Flyers?

The Flyers have one remaining unsigned restricted free agent to sign: winger Nikita Grebenkin. The Russian forward, who made $875,000 AAV in the final year of his previous contract, figures to be an inexpensive signing against the salary cap. Currently, the Flyers have roughly$16 million of open salary cap space under the ceiling.

Briere said on Thursday that he will continue to look for avenues to improve the NHL roster. There remains a glaring need for a defenseman capable of quarterbacking the top power play unit. Additionally, with Anaheim matching the Flyers’ offer sheet to center Leo Carlsson. The general manager said that, if there’s a move to make, it’d more likely be via trade than free agency.

Failing that, Briere said he’d be fine with going into 2026-27 with the roster that posted 98 points and won a playoff round this past season.