Flyers’ forward Bobby Brink has absolutely elevated his game in the early stages of the 2025-26 NHL season, building on a breakout 2024-25 campaign where he posted 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 79 games—his first full NHL year without AHL demotions.
At 24 years old and listed at 5’8 and 169 pounds, Brink has long been praised for his elite puck-handling, vision, and playmaking (he led the NCAA in scoring with 42 points in 41 games during his senior year at the University of Denver in 2021-22), but questions about his skating speed and defensive reliability held him back earlier in his pro career. Those concerns appear to be fading fast.
- Offseason Focus on Two-Way Play: Brink spent much of the Summer in Philly working with the Flyers’ training staff, emphasizing speed, power, and defensive details to become a more complete winger. He described it as “trying to not let guys beat me up the rink and just try to finish a couple of hits,” which has translated to more physicality and confidence on both sides of the puck. sports.yahoo.com This builds on his 2024-25 growth, where he averaged 13:48 of ice time and showed better gap control.
- Hot Start to the Season: Through the Flyers’ first two games (October 9 vs. Florida and October 11 vs. Carolina), Brink has been a standout on the third line with Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster—arguably the team’s most consistent trio so far. Flyers coach Rick Tocchet called him “outstanding” after the Carolina game, noting his speed and ability to “make things happen in the offensive zone with his hands and vision. Teammate Travis Sanheim echoed that, saying the line has been “great for us going back to last season.”
Specific Moments
- A rear-goal disallowed in OT vs. Carolina due to a crease interference call, but it highlighted his finishing ability.
- Strong shifts creating chances, including a game-winning goal in a recent scrimmage (echoing his clutch style from college, where he helped Denver win the 2022 NCAA title).
Brink is “seriously explosive and skilled,” projecting him as a potential 60-point play. Even skeptics are coming around. The line with Cates and Foerster looks like the only line right now that has any chemistry. He also impressed in camp and Pre-Season, scoring the shootout winner in a scrimmage.
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