Flyers sign D Jamie Drysdale to 4-year deal

Field Level Media|published: 07/17/2026, 9:36pm EDT

Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers secured a key piece of their blue line Friday, signing defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year, $26 million contract, the team announced.

The deal allows the two sides to avoid arbitration, carries an average annual value of $6.5 million and keeps the 24-year-old under contract through the 2029-30 season.

Drysdale secured a long-term deal after his best NHL season. He scored a career-high eight goals (three game-winners) and tied his personal best with 32 points over 78 games in 2025-26, ranking second among Philadelphia defensemen in scoring.

"Since we acquired him, Jamie has worked extremely hard and taken big steps in his development," general manager Daniel Briere said. "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."

Drysdale's teammates selected him as the recipient of the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to Philadelphia's most improved player.

Philadelphia acquired Drysdale and a 2025 second-round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in January 2024 in exchange for forward Cutter Gauthier. The Toronto native was originally selected sixth overall by Anaheim in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Drysdale has registered 25 goals and 77 assists in 295 career games with the Ducks and Flyers. He reached 100 career points during the past season, becoming the third-fastest defenseman from his draft class to hit the milestone.

--Field Level Media