Is it time to move on from Jamie Drysdale?

What more could Daniel Briere have done? Throughout 2023, rumors were popping up that Flyers top prospect Cutter Gauthier no longer wanted to be part of the organization. Was it because the Flyers hadn't brought him up earlier? Was it an issue with head coach John Tortorella? Who knows for sure? The best thing about the whole thing was that somehow, Briere and the company could keep it under wraps despite leaky rumors here and there.

However, hockey people know. While the public may have been ignorant of what goes on behind the scenes, some GMs around the league probably knew. The cost of a top prospect wanting off would force the hands of a GM and drive the price down. In the end, Anaheim offered the best price: former top prospect Jamie Drysdale and a second-rounder.

Drysdale was a highly touted defensive prospect with a lot of upside. He had speed, great hands, and a hockey IQ that was through the roof. To get a 22-year-old defender who could be a cornerstone piece for years to come; especially if he could fix the always anemic Flyers power play, could be a dream come true.

So far, that is all it has been. A dream. Drysdale can't stay healthy. Last year he dealt with a shoulder injury and a core injury. Recently, he has just been placed on the IR again for an upper-body injury. The odd thing is, his presence won't be missed.

When Cam York went down, it was potentially a chance for Drysdale to take the reigns and step up. He could quarterback the power play unit and showcase that offensive skillset the Flyers have been hoping to see. Instead, there hasn't been much. He's scored one goal with two assists in 17 games. Last year, in 24 games, he scored twice with three assists. With York out, he's gone scoreless in eight games.

So maybe he's not an offensive powerhouse. He's not going to be a Paul Coffey, Eric Desjardins, or Cale Makar. Maybe he can step in and be a great defender. Nope. He's got the lowest plus/minus rating on the team with a -10, tied with Egor Zamula. And while his 28 blocked shots are second only to Travis Sanheim's 33, his 22 turnovers lead the team. He has leveled just two hits and stolen the puck three times. That's not going to cut it.

Yes, he is 22 and still has room to grow. Maybe he can turn it around. However, is it worth waiting? Emil Andrae has appeared in eight games and already has two assists, six blocked shots, and doled out five hits. In half of the time, Andrae has almost as many good stats and fewer bad ones (just -1). Andrae is showing he belongs. Drysdale...not so much.

Drysdale isn't a physical guy. He doesn't have to be. After all, fan-favorite Kimmo Timonen wasn't. So he can compensate by being an offensive guy like Shayne Gostisbehere was. Except, he is none of the offense that Gostisbehere brought to the table but has all of the defensive liabilities. That's not going to help.

When York returns, I'd rather have Andrae out there, right now, than Drysdale. Maybe it might be worth it for the Flyers to get Drysdale back, show he is healthy, and ship him (and maybe Morgan Frost) off for a young top-line prospect. Even alone, he might be worth a mid-level draft pick, unless Briere can snooker a first or second-rounder out of someone. Tortorella has been patient with him so far, but it might be time to move on while the Flyers could still get any sort of value for him.