Flyers’ future takes shape with Jamie Drysdale and Nick Seeler as a dynamic duo
The defensive core of the Philadelphia Flyers appeared substantially different at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season than it did at the beginning. Rasmus Ristolainen returned from injury to end the season injured, Emil Andrae was demoted back to the AHL to play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Sean Walker was sent to Colorado, and Jamie Drysdale and Erik Johnson were acquired via Flyers trades.
And then there were Flyers prospects Ronnie Attard and Adam Ginning, who made their debuts at the conclusion of the winter after logging significant minutes with the Phantoms the whole season.
To put it briefly, the Flyers experienced an excessive amount of turnover at the back end, which was particularly problematic considering that they are a young team that is still developing and trying to discover its identity and lay the groundwork for its future.
Notwithstanding his injuries, general manager Danny Briere and the Flyers are cautiously optimistic that 22-year-old defenseman Drysdale, who was formerly the sixth overall choice in the 2020 NHL Draft, is part of the solution.
“The character that he demonstrated was impressive,” Briere had remarked in his farewell interview. After undergoing surgery in the off-season, he was traded and attempted to adjust to a new team. Not being able to skate at full capacity is kind of the secret to his success. Next season, I can’t wait to see Jamie Drysdale in perfect health. I believe a new player will be revealed.
Both during the Anaheim Ducks and Flyers transaction and following the Walker trade, Drysdale made the most sense to go in next to Nick Seeler and replace Walker. According to Natural Stat Trick, Seeler and Walker combined for 642 minutes of 5-on-5 play this season, with a 53.46% Corsi, 54.69% of goals, 56.45% of predicted goals, and 57.89% of high-danger goals.
In other words, the Flyers were superior to their opponents in every aspect when the two were on the ice. And although though Drysdale has enormous shoes to fill, he can easily repeat that kind of accomplishment. Seeler, at least, views it that way.
