It's hard to believe Bobby Brink has been in a Flyers jersey for parts of three seasons now. Yet, here we are.
Brink is a right winger on a Flyers teamloaded with talented right wingers. And don't look now, but Porter Martone is probably not too far away from being a regular in the lineup. If Brink wants to stay in Philly, this is his time to cement himself as a vital part of what this team is trying to become moving forward.
Brink was a second-round pick in 2019, with Cam York going first and Ronnie Attard being selected in the third round. As it now stands, they've been the only guys selected in 2019 to reach the NHL, and most likely, that will remain the case.
Brink has had an interesting road while playing for the Flyers. He appeared in ten games at the tail end of the 2021-22 season. In those ten games, he notched four assists and doled out 15 hits. That's not bad for a guy who stands at just 5"8.
Then tragedy struck. While working out in the offseason, Brink tore his left acetabular labrum, a muscle in his hip. He didn't hit the ice again until January 2023, but it was for the Phantoms, not the Flyers. It took him a while to build up his strength and stamina, but he did play in 41 games, scoring 12 goals with 16 assists.
Entering the next season, he wanted to prove he deserved a spot to make the team. With a roster spot not guaranteed and former coach John Tortorella trying to put together the best roster he could, Brink was one of the bubble guys. He had a great camp and was able to convince the coach that he should stay with the big club.
During the 2023-24 season, Brink appeared in 57 games for the Flyers and 13 for the Phantoms. As a Flyer, he scored 11 goals with 12 assists. Last season, he appeared in 79 games. Only Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Tyson Foerster, and Travis Sanheim appeared in more games. During that time, Brink increased his scoring output to 12 goals and 29 assists playing mostly in a third-line role.
Oddly enough, the line that Brink was on, with Foerster and Noah Cates, turned out to be the Flyers' most consistent line. This doesn't mean highest scoring. This means that when they were out there, you knew what you would get. They forechecked well, rarely turned the puck over, did all the fundamental stuff you need to do, and scored moderately enough with each player having career highs in points and goals last season.
For Brink, standing at 5"8 and 169 lbs., he is the smallest player on the Flyers. You wouldn't know it by looking at him. He was fifth on the team in hits with 98. His 21 steals were good for eighth on the team, but were third highest by a forward (behind Tippet and Konecny). This is also while averaging just 14:50 minutes of ice time. As a result, he was awarded last season's Pelle Lindbergh Trophy for Most Improved Player.
Brink's star continues to rise. His 41 points were sixth best on the team. It is not hard to think that a 50-point season isn't out of the question for him.
But something's gotta give. There is a logjam at right wing. Brink is probably too small to play center, but his heart is big enough and maybe he could be taught to play the role. He has a connection with Cates and Foerster. That line clicks well. That kind of chemistry is hard to find and it's one you don't want to lose.
On the other hand, Brink's salary is just $1.5 million. He'll be an RFA at the end of the year. A player with that kind of upside and with that price could make for a very valuable trade candidate. He could help the Flyers snag some prospects, draft picks, or a player that the Flyers could desperately use. Who knows?
This season could be Brink's final season in Philadelphia. He could just as easily be extended and be a part of the long-term future. After all, he's improved a little bit each year. There is nothing to say that he won't blossom into a 15-20 goal scorer with a 50-60 point season.
Does he fit into the Flyers' future plans? Who knows? However, he is just 24 years old. His best may be yet to come.