Flyers Trade Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild

The Flyers move a winger and acquire a defenseman with potential in the deal.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Philadelphia Flyers have traded forward Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Flyers received defenseman David Jiricek, a 2022 6th overall draft pick who has struggled to establish himself in the NHL so far.

Why it matters

The Flyers had a surplus of wingers and Brink was seen as a prime trade candidate. Jiricek represents a reclamation project for the Flyers, as the young Czech defenseman has not yet lived up to his draft pedigree but the team is hoping a change of scenery can help unlock his potential.

The details

Brink was a 2019 2nd round draft pick by the Flyers and showed promise in his rookie season, but the team felt it was time to move on from the 22-year-old winger. In return, they acquired Jiricek, who was selected 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. Jiricek, now 22 years old, has struggled with his skating and NHL-level awareness, and the Flyers are hoping that their defensive-minded system under coach Rick Tocchet can help develop the young blueliner.

  • The trade was completed on March 6, 2026.

The players

Bobby Brink

A 22-year-old forward who was drafted by the Flyers in the 2nd round in 2019.

David Jiricek

A 22-year-old defenseman who was drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 and was recently traded to the Minnesota Wild.

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What they’re saying

“The Flyers had a glut of wingers and Brink was a prime trade candidate.”

— Kevin Kinkead, Author (crossingbroad.com)

“Apparently the knock is that the guy can't skate and doesn't seem to have NHL-level awareness, so you get him in into Rick Tocchet's low-event, boring-ass defensive system and try to pull that raw talent out of him.”

— Kevin Kinkead, Author (crossingbroad.com)

What’s next

The Flyers will look to develop Jiricek and integrate him into their defensive corps, hoping that a change of scenery and their system can help the young blueliner reach his potential.

The takeaway

This trade represents the Flyers' continued efforts to reshape their roster, moving on from a young winger in Brink in order to acquire a defenseman with upside in Jiricek. The team is banking on Tocchet's defensive system helping to unlock Jiricek's potential after he has struggled to establish himself in the NHL so far.