Bobby Brink, 23, signed an extension for 2yrs/$3mil through the 2025-2026 season on July 3rd, 2024. Brink entered on a three-year term, debuting with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021-2022, spending the 2022-2023 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and returning to the Flyers last season.
However, Brink did not exclusively dress in Philadelphia in 2023-2024. John Tortorella scratched Brink for a handful of games before 2023 became 2024. Then, from January to February, Brink went on assignment to the AHL with the Phantoms.
Before he went to Lehigh Valley, Brink totaled 18 points (7G, 11A) in 38 games.
Growing pains were not exclusive to Brink last season. He recovered with the Flyers, unlike Wade Allison. Brink and Allison were two names chasing the opening night lineup, but Allison was the odd man out after competing in 60 games for Philadelphia in 2022-2023. In the 2023 Flyers Training Camp, Brink earned his placement. Allison went to waivers, played 46 games with the Phantoms, and then went to the Nashville Predators for Denis Gurianov on March 8th, 2024.
Just because he made the opening night lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brink was not out of the woods quite yet. Tortorella heavily preaches consistency, and he did not receive that from younger forwards in his lineup, like Brink and Morgan Frost. Frost was another forward who rode the pine earlier last season. By the time Brink went on assignment to Lehigh Valley, Frost competed in five fewer games (33) with 16 points (7G, 9A).
“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
But, a stint with the Phantoms served Brink right. Brink proved his promotion from back to the Flyers with consecutive goals versus the Tampa Bay Lightning and against the Washington Capitals. Overall, his ice time dropped. On the season, Brink averaged 13:48, but after returning from Lehigh Valley, he finished with an average on-ice time of around 12:30.
Including a successful performance versus the Lightning and against the Capitals, Brink finished his 2023-2024 season with five more points (4G, 1A). A total of 23 points (11G, 12A) in 57 games puts a numeric value on last season for Brink.
Then, after a season-finishing loss to Washington, Brink rejoined the Phantoms in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs.
Brink finished with four points (4A), ranking second for Lehigh Valley in the chase for the AHL Calder Cup. He notched one in the elimination of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Then, Brink added three more assists before the Hershey Bears provided the Phantoms exit in the AHL Atlantic Division Semifinals.
Next season, Brink aims to complete an entire season in Philadelphia. In all likelihood, Brink will take his place in the bottom six of the lineup, especially with Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov occupying the top six at RW. A season ago, the target placement for Brink would not be in the bottom six, but that is the ripple effect Michkov brings to the Flyers in the forward group. Last season was for learning lessons in the NHL. Brink has a ton of opportunity to stabilize his game with Scott Laughton and Joel Farabee next season.
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MEET MATVEI MICHKOV AT DYNASTY SPORTS – OXFORD VALLEY MALL
Welcome Matvei Michkov to Philadelphia the only way that Philly can with our friends at Dynasty Sports! The Flyers rookie will be making his very first appearance since joining the Flyers on Saturday, September 7th at Dynasty Sports’ Oxford Valley Mall location. The event will begin at 12:00 PM with Matvei signing autographs and taking photos with his fans.
