The worst is confirmed for Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale

This just in, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale will be out long-term and that the team has "hope he will be able to return this season."

From Friedman:

Drysdale, of course, left last night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after getting absolutely railroaded by Penguins forward Jansen Harkins.

Here's the hit in question:

This is obviously a huge blow for the Flyers and for Drysdale personally. The kid has struggled to remain healthy in his young NHL career and he really looked like he was hitting his stride with a new team in Philly.

Here's hoping that he gets back in time to help the Flyers stay in the dance in the NHL's Eastern Conference. The Flyers are fighting tooth and nail to hang on to 3rd spot in the Metropolitan Division and it would be a damn shame if they fell short because of Drysdale's absence from the lineup. Again, here's hoping he can make it back in time to play some important games down the stretch.

Read below for our earlier report on Drysdale's injury, published last night as it happened.

This has to be an area of concern if you're the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Sunday, recently acquired Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale was shaken up when he was on the receiving end of a big hit from Pittsburgh Penguins fourth liner Jansen Harkins.

Drysdale appeared to be favoring his arm after the hit and it could be seen resting dead against his side as he clutched at it while making his way off the ice. That being said this was a big impact, and it is unclear at this time exactly how Drysdale has been injured.

Here's another slow motion angle:

Things looked like they might have gotten even worse for the Flyers when forward Tyson Foerster left the game with an injury of his own, but thankfully Foerster has since returned to the game.