Quick Hits: January 30, 2024
1) Part 2 of this week's "Ask Bill" segment of Monday's Flyers Daily is now available. Content includes the trade deadline, evaluating goals against, the Flyers backup goalie depth with Samuel Ersson as the fulltime starter, and tons more including a recap of the Flyers Alumni weekend. To listen, click here.
2) In his first two games in Lehigh Valley since the Flyers reassigned him to their American League affiliate, Bobby Brink has collected three goals. The Phantoms ( ) sustained a 4-3 home loss in regulation to the W-B/S Penguins on Friday and then dropped a 4-3 (2-1) shootout decision to the Toronto Marlies the next night.
Going back down to the Phantoms has been good for Brink to regain some offensive confidence, which had been down a bit in recent weeks. However, what the Flyers are looking for when calling Brink back up to the big team, is not necessarily how many points he can put up at the AHL level (that's not in question). What they want is for him to show the things that would convince John Tortorella to keep him in the NHL lineup with reasonable playing time: his pace of play and checking game. Right or wrong, those were the main two reasons why his ice time was cut severely and why he started being scratched.
That said, if it's clear that Brink could reinject an offensive boost at the NHL level, that would certainly help hasten a return trip to Philadelphia with a regular lineup spot.
3) The next Flyers Alumni Friday Night Fights event at 2300 Arena in South Philly will be held on March 8, 2024. As always, all proceeds will benefit the Alumni's charitable programs, including Every Child Deserve a Bike, 12 Days of Christmas, the forthcoming new Alumni assistance program and more. Stay tuned for details!