The Philadelphia Flyers have made their first move of the day by acquiring defenseman David Jiříček from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Bobby Brink.
It’s a significant move considering Brink had been a mainstay on the Flyers roster for the last 3 seasons, but considering the logjam on the wing, it was a move that had to be done.
Brink’s name had popped up in rumours earlier this week but it was always believed that any move involving the 24-year-old would be part of a bigger package, rather than a standalone trade. However, that seemed to change with the Wild willing to offer their defensive prospect.
Brink had accumulated 36 goals and 94 points in 201 games over 4 seasons with the Flyers, including a career-best 41 points in 79 games last year. He had recorded a career-mark of 13 goals this season in just 55 games, primarily playing on the third line with Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov.
With the Flyers entertaining a plethora of wingers, and the expected return of Tyson Foerster with the soon-to-be arrival of Porter Martone either at the end of this season or the start of the next year, something had to give. The Minnesota native was scheduled for restricted free agency at the end of this year and it was a move that provided the Flyers with a prospect at a position of need.
Jiříček was drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’4”, 205 pound defenseman found it difficult to crack the NHL roster and was ultimately moved to Minnesota in exchange for Daemon Hunt and 4 draft picks.
As a member of the Wild, Jiříček split his time between the AHL and NHL, with 2 goals and 17 points in 51 games for the Iowa Wild, as well as 1 goal and 2 points in 31 games for the big club. On the season, Jiricek has 2 goals and 10 points in 24 games in the AHL and had gone pointless in 25 games in the NHL.
His offense has taken a hit this year, but there’s plenty left in the tank for the former first round pick as he recorded 13 goals and 57 points in 84 combined games for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL just a few years ago.
After acquiring Quinn Hughes, the Wild had very little space for Jiříček, making him a bit more expendable. With the Olympic gold medalist in the fold, they also have Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, Jake Middleton, and Zach Bogosian.
With the Flyers, the right-handed shooting defenseman can play his natural game, which seemed to elude him in Minnesota. He’s an offensive defenseman who can play the power play, which can bring some risks defensively, but it’s something the Flyers lack, and have lacked since Shayne Gostisbehere.
For the time being, Jiříček will report to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but it shouldn’t be too long until he gets the call from the Flyers. With Nick Seeler’s injury, we could see his Flyers debut sooner rather than later.
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