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Flyers Sign Jamie Drysdale to $26 M Deal, Avoid Arbitration

7/18/2026

Summary

Flyers Sign Drysdale

The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year, $26 million contract with a $6.5 million AAV on July 17, 2026, avoiding a July 20 arbitration hearing.
The deal includes a no-trade clause in years three and four and makes Drysdale the Flyers’ highest-paid defenseman.
In 2025-26, after a Jan. 8, 2024 trade from Anaheim, he posted eight goals, 32 points and earned the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the Flyers’ most improved player.

Summary

Drysdale Trains Up

Cutter Gauthier's trade request prompted the Jan 8, 2024 deal that sent Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick to Philadelphia.
The trade also sent Jack Murtagh, the 2025 second-round pick, to the Anaheim Ducks.
After health setbacks and being labeled a defensive liability, Drysdale had a 2025-26 season, ranking second in points for Philadelphia behind Travis Sanheim.
Drysdale will focus on training to improve his offensive and defensive play.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 lockout ended with the 2005 CBA, which imposed a hard $39 million salary cap and revenue-sharing, marking the league’s first cost-certainty system. Since then the cap has risen to $95.5 million for 2025-26. In July 2026 the Philadelphia Flyers gave defenseman Jamie Drysdale a $26 million deal with a $6.5 million AAV, the highest-paid blueliner under the modern cap structure.

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Flyers Sign Drysdale

The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year, $26 million contract with a $6.5 million AAV on July 17, 2026, avoiding a July 20 arbitration hearing.
The deal includes a no-trade clause in years three and four and makes Drysdale the Flyers’ highest-paid defenseman.
In 2025-26, after a Jan. 8, 2024 trade from Anaheim, he posted eight goals, 32 points and earned the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the Flyers’ most improved player.

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