Yesterday, Daniel Brière tackled a few burning topics surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
He reiterated how the Flyers won’t be aggressive in free agency, aligning with Keith Jones‘ previous statements about freeing cap space. Brière also admitted how Philadelphia could lean into drafting a center but simultaneously pointed out that prospect’s position will not solely dictate what they do with the 12th overall pick. Also, he put a temporary cap on the trade rumor mill. While ‘everything’s on the table’ at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, like moving up for a prospect or back for picks, Brière reassured that any transaction needs to make hockey sense.
Those points were the meat and potatoes of the media availability. However, other smaller nuggets were left to expand upon.
When asked about the restricted free agents, Brière mentioned the ones on the Flyers’ roster will receive a qualifying offer. Currently, that limits the detail to two players, Bobby Brink and Egor Zamula. Technically, Carter Hart is a restricted free agent, but his circumstances regarding his future are vastly different from the others. Here, I won’t be expanding on Hart. Brière did offer that Philadelphia is waiting for further instruction from the NHL about how to proceed with that context.
“All of them on the Flyers, yes. That’s the plan. Obviously, the one caveat to that is Carter Hart. We’re still waiting for guidance from the NHL on that.” – Daniel Brière; 6/20/2024
Both of these players are interesting. Brink, most recently, finished second on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in points (4A) in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. Zamula was the most effective blue liner on the Flyers’ powerplay.
Bobby Brink
Before this season, Philadelphia was log-jammed in the bottom six, but Brink forced his way onto the roster. In 2022-2023, Brink recovered from a hip injury, finishing a rehab assignment in the AHL. He had some ground to cover but ultimately made the opening night lineup this season with the Flyers on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In his first ten games of the 2023-2024 season, Brink scored eight points (3G, 5A). Then, in his next ten games, he tallied three assists. Like some younger players, Brink fell victim to the healthy scratch bug designated by John Tortorella. In the first 30 games, Brink wasn’t in the lineup five times. By mid-January, he went on loan to the Phantoms.
“As long as you take these experiences in a positive way, you can learn from them and grow from them. [I’m] not the first guy in this league that’s ever had to go through stuff like that. A lot of guys have done it, and it’s helped them a lot in their careers.” – Bobby Brink; 4/17/2024
During his 13 games in Lehigh Valley, Brink scored at a point-per-game pace (7G, 6A).
Brink finished the season in Philadelphia. Overall, he played 57 games in the NHL this season, totaling 23 points (11G, 12A).
Brière will make an offer to Brink. The offer will result in a two-way contract, expecting a maximum average annual value of $1.365mil. Next season, Brink needs the opportunity to play top-nine minutes. If Matvei Michkov remains in the KHL, Brink could jump into the top six.
Egor Zamula
Entering this season, Zamula had a step on Adam Ginning, Emil Andrae, Ronnie Attard, Louie Belpedio, and Victor Mete. He contributed an assist to open the season in the aforementioned away game against the Blue Jackets.
Andrae appeared in four games this season, and then Belpedio and Mete received a chance. The defense featured a lot of interchanging parts, such as Rasmus Ristolainen pairing with Marc Staal. Jamie Drysdale became a fixture in the Flyers’ defense, too. The Flyers traded Sean Walker before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline and acquired Erik Johnson, but Ginning and Attard earned a late recall from the Phantoms. In addition to all of this movement, there were times when the lineup included an extra forward or defenseman.
“Nobody wants to sit, so when I come back, I need to play my best game to stay in the lineup. It’s pretty much, for every sportsman, every hockey player. I want to be in the lineup every night and help my team to win; bring two points.” – Egor Zamula; 4/17/2024
Zamula was a fringe defenseman. He rotated in and out of the lineup while learning from veterans like Staal and Johnson. A fair assessment would address his inconsistencies, never outright earning his place on the third pair. However, Tortorella liked what he saw from Zamula at times.
Through 66 games, Zamula finished fifth in the defensive point share metric, tailing Travis Sanheim.
Brière will make an offer to Zamula. The offer will result in a two-way contract, expecting a maximum average annual value of $930k. He’ll be in a position battle at training camp with Ginning and Andrae.
