Bobby Brink made sure he stayed in the conversation Monday night.
In preseason action against the Chicago Blackhawks, the 25-year-old winger put together the kind of performance that gets a coaching staff’s attention. Brink scored twice in the Minnesota Wild’s 4-3 overtime loss, opening the scoring in the first period and later finishing a true solo effort to tie the game in the middle of the third.
He did plenty more than fill the stat sheet. Brink also dropped the gloves in a spirited bout, adding some edge to a night where he logged 16 minutes on the ice and made the most of them.
Brink still hasn’t settled into a clear role with the Wild since returning to his hometown team at the trade deadline last season, and that remains unresolved. But a game like this is exactly the kind of reminder that can help his case. If he can show that same impact when given a chance higher in the lineup, it gives John Hynes and the rest of the Wild coaching staff something to think about once the regular season begins.
Elsewhere in the Wild conversation, there’s still the question of whether Bobby Brink can become a hometown hero, and Daemon Hunt is also in the spotlight as the need for young players to earn real opportunities becomes harder to ignore.
Around the league, there’s a bit of movement and noise elsewhere, too. The Toronto Maple Leafs looked prepared to move on from defenseman Morgan Rielly this offseason, with a trade seeming likely, but he remains with the club and says he’s happy to be there. And Mike Babcock admitted he doesn’t “have a clue” about the Edmonton Oilers and the lineup he wants to work with.
In Other News...
Quinn Hughes Just Put Pressure On The Wilds Long-Term Plan
Quinn Hughes has not rushed into the kind of contract-extension conversation that can shape a franchises future, saying those talks have not started and that he is comfortable taking his time. For the Wild, that matters because any long-term planning around a player of his caliber has to account for more than just on-ice fit. Hughes also acknowledged the appeal of playing with his brothers, but made clear he would not give up his current situation just to force that family reunion.
Minnesota has spent plenty of time thinking about its long-range blueprint, and Hughes stance adds another layer to it. He is not treating the calendar like a deadline, which leaves the Wild waiting to see whether the relationship grows into something more permanent or stays in the present tense for a while longer. For now, the only certainty is that the decision will not be driven by outside pressure, and that is the part Minnesota has to keep watching. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Young Forwards Are Giving Fans Real Reason For Hope
The Wild entered the preseason knowing the pressure on their forward group would be different this year. After losing significant scoring from the top six in the offseason, Minnesota has leaned on a wave of younger players to help show what the next layer of offense might look like, and Bobby Brink, Maxim Shabanov and Danila Yurov have all gotten an early chance to make their case.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks, Brink stood out with two goals, Shabanov added one of his own and Yurov flashed some of the quieter details that can win a coaching staff over, including his work away from the puck and in the faceoff circle. For a team trying to sort out roles before opening night, the encouraging part is not just the production, but the variety of ways these forwards are trying to earn meaningful minutes. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Verbeek Put The Ducks In A Tough Spot Before Opening Night
As opening night approaches, the Ducks are already being pulled into the broader NHL conversation about how aggressive teams will get with their rosters. Around the league, the chatter has centered on possible trade talk involving names like Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck, along with questions about Quinn Hughes contract future, but Anaheims situation stands out because it is tied to how Pat Verbeek has handled the summer and what that means for the roster he is bringing into the season.
For a team still being judged on its long-term direction, that leaves Verbeek in a tricky spot. Evaluations of the offseason have ranged from praise to skepticism, with the Ducks being weighed against clubs like the Red Wings, and the market for major moves only adds to the pressure. Whether Anaheim ultimately stays patient or finds a way to shift course, the uncertainty around management decisions is already hanging over the start of the year. [Read more 🡒]