Flyers, Briere expose Gauthier behavior as reason for Jamie Drysdale trade

The Philadelphia Flyers made a shocking move on Monday, trading top prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick. However, it wasn’t much of a surprise for Flyers GM Danny Briere, who said the move was a long time coming. Gauthier was the de-facto reason for the Jamie Drysdale trade.

According to Briere, Gauthier was not communicate with the Flyers, dating back to the 2023 World Junior Championship. He also explained that this was the reason Gauthier was not present for the Flyers’ Development Camp, but nothing was made of it in order to protect Gauthier from the media. The Flyers GM was disappointed as he expected Gauthier to play in Philadelphia, but remarked that now was the time to make a move. Gauthier did not engage Briere or Keith Jones when the two traveled to Sweden to visit him and try to change his mind.

That landed the Flyers a defenseman like Drysdale, whom Briere is thrilled to have. The former Flyers star mentioned that he sees Drysdale in the same conversation as Michkov, and that he can be the team’s No. 1 defenseman in the long-term. Drysdale, 21, is in the first year of a three-year, $6.9 million contract he signed in October. Briere also stated that he’s not quite sure yet where Drysdale fits into the Flyers lineup and that there will be an adjustment period when he arrives in Philly.

Lastly, Briere added that Drysdale will be a great fit in the Flyers locker room and that everyone he talked to raved about Drysdale’s character. All the players in the room care deeply about each other, and Briere believes that his new defenseman fits that mold perfectly. The Flyers clearly see Drysdale as the elite talent that he was drafted to be, and now it’s about putting that on the ice.

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