2024-25 Flyers Player Grades: Bobby Brink went a bit beyond expectations

Bobby Brink went from a liability in his own zone in his rookie year to a strong two-way player, becoming the most improved Flyer over 2023-24.

During a game during the homestretch of the 2023-24 season, Bobby Brink was in his own end, his lungs probably on fire trying to survive an extended shift against the Capitals. The Flyers were down 2-0, and another goal at that point most likely be curtains for the game. Brink had nothing left to give and looked lost in his own zone, being a spectator more than defender. The Capitals scored to make it 3-0 and then coach John Tortorella tore Brink a new one. “Get off the f–king ice!” he screamed at Brink.

This past season, Brink was more often than not a welcomed addition on the ice. Brink, who Tortorella jokingly said didn’t know how to spell the word “check” much less do it, was a bright spot in 2024-25. He effectively embodied what Tyson Foerster did in his rookie year: go into the dirty areas, fight for pucks, finish his checks, and be a solid two-way forward. And gain the trust of the coach. The result was Brink being one-third of the team’s more consistent lines all year alongside Foerster and center Noah Cates. He seemed to balk at the notion of a sophomore slump, seeing an increase (some marginal) in his stats and underlying metrics.

In a season that had some bright spots not named Matvei Michkov, Bobby Brink was near the top of that list. Not only was he healthy most of the year, he also avoided being a healthy scratch, something far different than the conclusion of 2024-25.

As you can see above, Brink didn’t light it up often, but provided enough offense to make him a keeper on the third line. What was a huge upside was how he saw his playing time increase for five consecutive months. Brink started the year with a four-game point streak on the West Coast trip but never scored again until Halloween. He averaged 11:40 for October, not great but not doghouse or diminished time. In November, it went up to 13:04 as Brink had two goals and five assists. Clearly, winning the trust of Tortorella, Brink saw his time go up almost a full minute to 14:02 for December.

In January, Brink averaged 15:26 ice time, with three goals (including a game winner against New Jersey) and an assist. Brink saw that time go up again in February to 17:05, possibly due to the fact the Flyers had parted with both Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. But more likely it was due to Brink’s consistency, particularly in his own zone. Shifts that he might have taken off in 2023-24 were few and far between this season. The effort was apparent. Perhaps seeing the work ethic Foerster and Cates had put in rubbed off on Brink also. He also ended up with a goal and five assists for February, impressive considering the Flyers only played seven games that month due primarily to the Four Nations Face-Off.

In terms of production, Brink’s expected goals for improved over last season (47.98 in 2023-24) as did his Corsi For percentage (47.85 in 2023-24). He also saw a big jump in high danger attempts for (47.88 in 2023-24) while his PDO diminished slightly last season (1.015 his rookie season). Brink was never mistaken for Foerster, Michkov, or Konecny this past season. Yet he did play a sound, solid two-way game.

As the season wound down, and the trade deadline passed, Brink saw his ice time drop slightly in March to 16:35. He also saw his most productive month offensively with three goals and five assists, including a three-point night against Tampa Bay on March 13. The forward also saw his most ice time two games later against Tampa Bay as he logged 21:37 in a 2-0 loss. Following Tortorella’s firing, interim coach Brad Shaw slightly reduced Brink’s usage as most of the remaining nine games saw him between sixteen to seventeen minutes. However Brink had another strong abbreviated month in April, with five points in six games.

The upside to this is that a 45-point to 50-point season shouldn’t be a pipe dream in 2025-26, particularly with Brink on his last year of his current contract which will see him with a $1.5 million AAV cap hit. Another baby step or improvement in that direction should end up seeing that AAV rise on his next deal.

Three questions

Did they live up to expectations?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Brink entered the season with many unsure if he would simply resemble what he was in 2023-24 or possibly regress and find himself fighting to get back in the lineup on a regular basis. Or avoid extended stints in Lehigh Valley. But Brink took a step forward in his play, and especially in his work ethic. He’s not a big man by any stretch yet seeing him battle in the corners was a revelation. So while not expected to do a lot, Brink surprised a few this season. Hell, he did win the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the most improved Flyer this year! That counts for something.

What can we expect from him next season?

With a contract year coming up, Brink should be ready to hit the ground running in training camp and in October. Of course invariables like injuries to himself or to linemates could hamper those goals and assists. However, with dreams of a non-horrid power play maybe becoming a reality at some point, Brink could find himself having a fantastic year. If the power play effectiveness is 18 per cent, that should result in more points for Brink on the second unit.

In short, assuming he’s still with the club in October and isn’t part of a trade package to acquire a center or move up in the draft, look for Brink to have some highlight reel goals in 2025-26. And perhaps Rick Tocchet might be able to see him used occasionally higher in the lineup due to injuries or some forwards fighting the puck.

How do we grade his 2024-25 season?

Bobby Brink was one of the players (again not named Michkov) that you enjoyed watching play. Just from an effort standpoint, often looking like the underdog and giving up size but holding his own in puck battles made you root for him. It was a huge step forward in Brink’s development this past season. And he deserves full marks for putting in the work from start to finish.

Grade: B