Philadelphia Flyers Select Goal-Scorer Bobby Brink at 34

The Philadelphia Flyers made another trade during the 2019 NHL Draft and picked a forward who fell out of the first round.

After trading down from 11 to 14th overall to select defenseman Cam York during the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers decided to trade up this time around, as they moved the 45th and 65th picks which equate to their second and one of their two third rounders to the Nashville Predators for pick number 34. Flyers fans, including myself, were clamoring for a goal-scorer Cole Caufield at 14 but Philadelphia opted for defense instead. General Manager Chuck Fletcher did oblige with this pick, though, as he chose right-winger Bobby Brink at 34. Brink fell out of the first due to size and slight skating concerns but don’t be fooled; this was a slam-dunk for Fletcher and the Orange and Black.

Brink is yet another prospect to come out of the United States Developmental Program, where he was teammates with York, though he played in just five games at the Under-18 IIHF World Championships with Team USA as a call-up due to his dynamic performance in the United States Hockey League and being 17 years of age. The 5’8 165-pound forward scored a whopping 68 points (35 Goals, 33 Assists) in 43 games with the Sioux City Musketeers, which led the team and sat fourth in the entire league. He also posted six points (3 Goals, 3 Assists) in those five World Junior games with the Americans, helping them earn bronze at the tournament.

The Minnesota native is one of the best goal-scorers this class has to offer. Brink is a pure sniper, possessing a swift release and dead-eye accuracy with his wrist shot. He isn’t afraid to battle in front of the net to get deflections, either, even with his smaller stature. Brink also knows how to get open without having the puck on his stick, always putting himself in the most dangerous areas of the ice for primal scoring opportunities. That’s not to say he can’t create for himself, because he has the stick handles to do so, just that he can create chances with and without the puck. He’s an underrated passer, as well, with excellent vision and passing skills to set up fellow teammates for a goal.

Fletcher hit an absolute home run with this pick, in my opinion. While he could benefit by improving his skating, Bobby “Orr” Brink is an incredibly gifted prospect with a high-powered offensive skill set who competes on both ends and will soon be a fan favorite at the Wells Fargo Center in the future.