Bobby Brink, over the course of his four-year NHL career, has become a fan favorite in Philly. It's not hard to understand why. He stands just 5'8". For a team that has valued size and strength for most of its history, he is quite an anomaly. Despite his stature, he has impressed the Flyers' staff over the years, whether he is battling through injuries or fighting to get a roster spot.
One of the things that has been a key factor in his rise through the organization is his continued growth. He had a mini 10-game audition in 2021-22 where he registered four assists. After spending a season in the AHL, he returned in 2023-24, earning a roster spot, scoring 11 goals, and collecting 12 assists. Last season, he set career highs with a dozen goals and 29 assists. His 41 points were good for sixth place on the team.
This season, it is more of the same. He has 11 goals in 41 games. Combine that with nine assists, and he could be well on for a career year. And therein lies the problem.
Is Bobby Brink a part of the Flyers future?
Brink has been a great piece for the team over these last few years. He has played all three lines and has learned a lot from his coaches. Everyone raves about his work ethic. Brink has worked his way up through the system, the team has been loyal to him, and it has paid off dividends.
As of right now, the Flyers have seven guys signed on through the 2028-29 season. Brink is making $1.5 million and will be an RFA at the end of this season. The Flyers could sign him to a bridge deal (probably worth about $3-$5 million) or sign him to a longer-term contract to try and lock him up early.
However, the Flyers have a bunch of prospects waiting to come up. Porter Martone is probably a year or so away from breaking the roster. The team also has other young players and prospects that deserve a chance to play too (Denver Barkey, Nikita Grebenkin). Something has to give. They can't keep everyone.
Brink could make for a great trade at the deadline. He is young (24) and controllable. He has also shown that he is a fairly decent forward. While he may not be a high-impact player, he could easily slide into a middle-six role and become a threat. On most teams, he'd be a highly desired player. Perhaps he could be someone who is thrown into a deal to earn whatever "missing piece" this team needs to become dominant in the years ahead.
The danger is that because he is just 24, the Flyers could be missing out on a foundational piece. But if Brink could bring in that game changing center, elite defender, or backup goalie they need for a playoff run, is it worth it? We'll see where the Flyers go in the weeks ahead.