With no news or reports of a contract agreement, the Philadelphia Flyers and 2019 seventh-round pick Bryce Brodzinski have parted ways.
Brodzinski, 24, is a former captain for the University of Minnesota who steadily improved, especially offensively, across his five NCAA seasons. Brodzinski’s NHL rights expired on Thursday, Aug. 15, after he and the Flyers did not reach an agreement on an entry-level contract.
Additionally. Flyers general manager Danny Briere told Philly Hockey Now that Brodzinski would indeed not be signed by the club, and that has now become reality midway through August after passing the deadline.
As such, Brodzinski is now free to sign with any NHL team, though it’s highly likely the 24-year-old forward starts his professional career in the AHL. It’s worth noting that Brodzinski’s older brother, winger Jonny Brodzinski, plays for the rival New York Rangers.
With young forwards like Adam Edstrom and Brennan Othmann potentially graduating to the NHL ranks for New York next season, the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack could stand to gain a lot by adding a player like Brodzinski, especially on what would be a minimal investment as a free agent signing.
Over his last two seasons at Minnesota, Brodzinski was able to rack up 33 goals, 34 assists, and 67 points in 79 games. The 6-foot, 200 pound former Flyers prospect would have been able to turn pro, likely with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, at the end of last season.
But, given the circumstances, it’s clear that the Flyers did not view Brodzinski and/or his development that positively, thus making the decision to let him hit NHL free agency unabated.
The University of Minnesota’s highest-scoring forward of the 2023-24 season will be looking for a new team and playing under a new NHL organization in the 2024-25 season.
