The Minnesota Wild had a weird week. They didn’t qualify Bobby Brink, a restricted free agent, which meant he could have walked for nothing. But Brink is from Minnesota. And he wanted to stay.
So instead of testing the open market Wednesday, Brink signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract to remain with his hometown team. The Athletic’s Mike Russo broke the news, and the Wild confirmed it shortly after.
Brink could have been a full unrestricted free agent by noon Central on July 1. Instead, he bet on himself. He saw an opportunity for big minutes next season and decided to stick around.
“Have to hand it to Brink. Could have been UFA tomorrow, but the MN native clearly played ball because he sees a big opportunity next season. Bet on himself hoping to break out,” Russo wrote.
What Brink Brings to the Wild
Brink scored a career-high 15 goals last season split between the Flyers and Wild. Philly traded him at the deadline for defenseman David Jiricek, and Brink fit in well with Minnesota’s system. He’s not big — listed at 5-foot-8 — but he plays with an edge. He gets to the dirty areas and doesn’t back down from contact.
The Wild are about to have the most expensive contract in NHL history on their books. Kirill Kaprizov’s eight-year extension kicks in Wednesday at $17 million against the cap. That’s a lot of money tied up in one guy. So finding value on the wings is crucial. Brink at $2.75 million for one year is exactly that kind of value play.
And it comes at the right time. Mats Zuccarello is expected to leave in free agency. He’s 38 and still productive — five straight 50-point seasons — but his offensive numbers are slipping. Replacing a small, feisty winger with another small, feisty winger who’s a decade younger makes sense on paper.
The Bigger Picture in Minnesota
The Wild have a lot going on. They’ll be active on July 1 when it comes to extensions too. Quinn Hughes is eligible to sign a new deal, and the team has said they intend to get it done. The length of that contract will be the major talking point once negotiations go public.
Brink’s deal is a short-term bridge, not a long-term commitment. But if he breaks out like he’s betting on, the Wild might have to pay up next summer. For now, they got a hometown kid who could slide right into Zuccarello’s role without much of a drop-off.
Not bad for a guy they almost let walk for nothing.
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