Loser: Bobby Brink
Like Foerster, Bobby Brink just didn’t have the juice during rookie camp. The 22-year-old wasn’t effective as a creator at even-strength, and did most of his good work with the man advantage. This is fine, because the Flyers fielded the worst power play in the NHL in 2022-23, but that just won’t be enough to earn a roster spot.
At the NHL level, the 5-foot-8 Brink is going to need to find ways to make up for his diminutive size, and he’s already not the best skater in the world. Special teams will of course be key, but Brink has to round his game out a bit and find some rhythm and consistency.
As far as the Flyers roster goes, the former Denver ace is in a three-horse race with Foerster and Wade Allison, and the fact that there’s a 67 percent chance of one of their top prospects making the NHL roster this year is encouraging enough.
Still, both the Flyers and Brink need to avoid complacency. ‘Good’ or ‘okay’ won’t be enough to pull a rebuilding team out of the mud by themselves.