Flyers Report Cards: The Future of the Blueline?

The Philadelphia Flyers have a lot of youth in the organization. That includes the blueline and two key players to the future of the organization: Jamie Drysdale and Cam York.

Both players are similar in size and, historically, have played an offensive-minded brand of defense. The pair was tested during Brad Shaw’s brief stint as the Flyers’ head coach, but their games were too similar at the moment.

Jumping to the 2025-26 season, York started the season in a top-pairing role, playing alongside Travis Sanheim, while Drysdale played on the 2nd, oftentimes with Nick Seeler. Once Rasmus Ristolainen returned in December and got his legs under him, he took over on the top pair, moving York to the 2nd pair with Drysdale.

Unlike the season prior, the pair worked. York had developed into a reliable defender for the Flyers, while Drysdale had taken great strides between seasons and earned his minutes. Offensively, Drysdale contributed, but it was his defensive abilities that took the greatest step forward.

Even in the playoffs, a time when undersized defensemen are at a disadvantage, both Drysdale and York rose to the occasion and played some of their best hockey of the season. York was a physical and solid defender, while Drysdale had become one of the team’s more reliable offensive contributors.

It was a year of great strides for both defensemen, which should leave the Flyers confident in the future of the blueline. York, 25, and Drysdale, 24, will play big roles in the Flyers’ future as their 2nd pairing.

Both players took great steps forward and thrived in Year 1 under Rick Tocchet. Now it’s up to them to continue taking strides. Let’s grade their seasons.

Jamie Drysdale: A

Jamie Drysdale was by far the most improved Flyer this past season. It was not up for debate. What he was able to do for his development between this season and the one before was incredible.

This past season, Drysdale became more than just an offensive defenseman. His defensive game improved greatly. That is part of, if not all of, the reason the pairing with Cam York worked out so well this year.

I saw a lot of improvement in Drysdale’s backchecking this season. There were a handful of goal-stopping backchecks made by Drysdale in that late-season stretch of critical games. He has dangerous speed and used it.

Offensively, I still think he can unlock a little more. In 78 games, Drysdale had 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points, matching a career high. I still think he can be a little more impactful on the power play.

His playoff contributions were great. Especially in the Pittsburgh series, Drysdale was consistently impactful on both ends. It was a great year for the Flyers’ defenseman.

If he can add a little more power to his shot, Drysdale could become a lethal rover for the Flyers.

Cam York: B+

If I had to pick one player who benefited most from the coaching change, it would be Cam York. You could see the difference between York this past season and the year before. He was playing a lot more loosely.

York, once a touted offensive defenseman prospect, has turned into more of a shutdown blueliner. However, this season, York began taking a few more risks, and you could see the offense creeping back into his game. I noticed a few wraparound attempts this season, a move he made a living on in college.

He and Drysdale became a reliable pair of defensemen for Rick Tocchet’s club. York was the stable anchor of the pair, and did it well. In a season where he played on both the top and middle pair, I think that 2nd pair anchor role for York fits him perfectly.

He had a career high of 22 assists and a second-best 26 points this year. York also had a career high rating of +5, 7 power-play points, and was a steady penalty-killer.

Next season, I would like to York get a little more time on the Flyers’ power play – if they don’t add a power play QB this offseason.

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