Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Bobby Brink Sends Flyers Early Message in AHL Stint
The Philadelphia Flyers sent Bobby Brink to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Jan. 22, and since he was scratched for the Jan. 18 game against the Dallas Stars, the team has gone 1-5-0.
Just a week into his Phantoms tenure, Brink has shown the Flyers why they made a mistake in banishing him to the AHL.
Guess who's back, back again?
Bobby Brink's back, tell a friend. @LVPhantoms | #WBSvsLV pic.twitter.com/GCKIJ3qVfu
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) January 27, 2024
The 22-year-old immediately got his feet wet in Lehigh Valley, playing in a back-to-back on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27. The Phantoms lost both games by a score of 4-3, but Brink scored in his season debut against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and then added two more the next day against the Toronto Marlies.
Two of the Flyers youngster’s three goals came on the power play, and Brink has also rattled off nine shots on goal in his two-game stint thus far. Before leaving the Flyers, Brink was in quite the scoring rut, having gone without a point in seven straight. It’s also worth nothing that Brink had played fewer than 10 minutes in three of his last five games in Philadelphia.
It’s hard to score when you’re never on the ice.
Right before that seven-game streak started, though, the University of Denver product had scored four points over his last five, and was finding the scoresheet with frequency in general. It remains to be seen what it actually takes to get Brink back in Philadelphia, but the Flyers have not exactly blown up the scoreboard as of late.
Right now, the Flyers’ roster is clogged up with eight defensemen and three goaltenders (note: Carter Hart has not been designated “non-roster” status), so, at least as far as the numbers go, it looks to be a tough climb for Brink. The sky will be even cloudier once Owen Tippett returns from his injury.
Right now, Brink’s early message to the Flyers has been clear.
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Danny B will have to thin the herd…..a Scott Laughton trade could make things more clear for Brink’s return.
Having him on the Phantoms right now isn’t bad – he doesn’t need nine days off during the All-Star Break. He can play down there and put some pucks in the net. But he needs to play in the NHL to develop and play more than 10 minutes on a bottom six line. Dress 12 forwards and 6 D, Torts.
By the way, the NHL is a marketing disaster. 8,9 days with no hockey in the middle of winter while there’s no football going on. Brilliant.
Good point on the time off period. I just came up with a better time period, 8-9 days before playoffs start. All teams get refreshed before the playoffs. Done.
Brink’s a goal scorer. Don’t make him something he’s not. Put him on a line with the right guys, whether it’s 1st or 4th. Don’t try to make him a hitter or a thug or whatever. When Torts learns to play a guy where he can contribute, rather than making him pay some bullsh*t dues, maybe the Flyers will start winning again.