- Jamie Drysdale says the Flyers are “hungry” after ending a five-season playoff drought
- Philadelphia went 18-7-1 down the stretch and knocked out Pittsburgh in six games
- Read below for Drysdale on the Leo Carlsson offer sheet and his own goals for the year
Jamie Drysdale is already counting down to training camp.
The Flyers defenseman told NHL.com on Tuesday that Philadelphia is walking into 2026-27 hungry, one summer after ending a five-season playoff drought and winning a round. He was at the Circle of Champions event at Scotiabank Pond in Toronto, held in support of the clothing bank New Circles.
Drysdale was asked what a first taste of the postseason did for the room:
“Once you get that sniff, it’s a cliché, but I think it’s very true. It was my first time making the playoffs and I think that is going to be the standard now, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The turnaround happened fast. Philadelphia sat eight points out of a spot when the schedule resumed after the Winter Olympics break on Feb. 25, then closed 18-7-1 to finish 43-27-12 and third in the Metropolitan Division.
Round one went six games against Pittsburgh. Carolina swept the Flyers in round two on its way to the Stanley Cup.
Take a look at how the Battle of Pennsylvania ended:
What flipped over those final six weeks, in his words:
“Getting into the playoffs and playing that first round was a blast against Pittsburgh. We couldn’t write it much better, so we are all hungry coming in this year.”
Management swung hard in July. The Flyers handed Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million offer sheet on July 3, and Anaheim matched six days later to keep the 21-year-old center.
That attempt landed inside the dressing room even though it failed, Drysdale said.
“It was obviously a big splash and it shows our team, our management, everyone is looking to add and everyone is committed. Guys in the locker room, guys up top, guys in management, that we are trying to make this work with our group and add where we can.”
His own situation got settled two weeks later. Philadelphia signed Drysdale to a four-year extension worth $6.5 million per season on July 17.
Health dogged the 24-year-old early in his career, but he has now played at least 70 games in back-to-back years and sits at 102 points through 295 games. He wants more out of the offensive side this season.
“Offensively make more plays. Play with more confidence, keep growing that and make more and more of an impact night in and night out.”
Plenty of young talent surrounds him. Porter Martone piled up 10 points in nine regular-season games after leaving Michigan State, Denver Barkey and Alex Bump both debuted last season, and Matvei Michkov is entering the final year of his entry-level deal.
Opening night is Sept. 30 at home against Pittsburgh. Even Gritty is counting:
