Philadelphia Flyers 2024-25 Player Preview: Bobby Brink

Whether or not you are a teacher, parent, or coach, you are not supposed to show favorites. However, let's be honest, they do. As a teacher, I'll admit that there are some students I am more happy to see than others. As children (even if we are older), we all feel that our parents like our siblings more (I know they love my sister more!). We also hope our coach treats us all the same, but we know deep down that they may like other players more.

In a way, you can tell that Flyers head coach John Tortorella has his "guys". These are the guys who work hard on the basics, take ownership of what they do (right or wrong), and try to do what is best for the team without much complaint. You can kind of tell that Bobby Brink may be one of those guys.

He played in 57 games last year. During that time, he scored 11 goals with 12 assists. He got off to a decent start last year, scoring three goals in the first 11 games of the year. He had overcome a major hip injury the year before that sidelined him and cost him a year of playing time. It seemed like he found his spot. At one point, he was one of the top rookie point scorers in the NHL.

Then he struggled a bit. To get his mojo back, he was sent back to the Phantoms to build his confidence back up. After spending a few weeks there, he was recalled and seemed to be refreshed. And then it happened again. He lost his confidence again as the Flyers fell apart down the stretch.

Bobby Brink looking to carve a full-time NHL role

Brink is still just 23 years old. He has a lot more to learn and a lot of hockey left in him. He plays with a lot of heart and determination. After being benched last January, Tortorella was blunt about Brink's status.

“This is all part of the process for Bobby. He's gonna be a really good player, but there are a lot of things he needs to work on. I think he's been a little inconsistent. Bobby Brink does not have a cemented spot in the National Hockey League, but that's to be expected. He has a ways to go to find that."

For now, Tortorella is being patient with him. He sees the kid has talent but is also raw. He has the abilities and the determination to get better at his craft. Tortorella is happy to help him get better because the better Brink gets, the better the team will be too. It's one of the reasons they signed him to a two-year deal last month.

But with that patience comes responsibility. It is up to Brink to get better, grow, and improve. If he can't do that, he could find himself without a roster spot as younger, hungrier players could be ready to take his spot on the bench.