Waiting game continues for hurt prospect
Logan Brown's return to the NHL is going to be delayed a little longer.
Assigned from the Ottawa Senators' taxi squad to the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators last week, the hope was that the 22-year-old centre would get up to speed quickly in order to rejoin the NHL roster as soon as possible.
Yet after playing in Belleville's opening two games against Laval last weekend — both 5-1 losses — Brown has suffered an undisclosed minor injury.
He didn't play in Belleville's 4-1 victory over Laval on Tuesday and isn't expected to be back for Friday's game against Laval, either. Following that, Belleville isn't scheduled to play again until its home opener March 3, a game that is likely to be played at Canadian Tire Centre if the Ontario government's COVID-19 health and safety guidelines allow it.
“Logan played in Game 1 and Game 2 and it wasn't his best,” Belleville coach Troy Mann said in a wide-ranging Postmedia video chat with Bruce Garrioch and yours truly earlier this week. “He needs to play better in my opinion as the head coach.”
Mann recognizes that Brown, who was selected 11th overall by the Senators in the 2016 entry draft, went a full calendar year between games — he was also injured when the pandemic wiped out what remained of the 2019-20 season last March — but he's pushing the 6-6, 220-pound centre to give more in order to earn a promotion back to the NHL. Brown's pro career has been marred by injuries.
“He needs to be the go-to guy,” said Mann. “He needs to put the team on his back so he can get that opportunity in Ottawa.”
As a team, Mann says Belleville struggled in its opening two games, but rebounded with Filip Gustavsson in goal for Tuesday's win. Alex Formenton, 21, who is also on the radar for a return to Ottawa later in the season, scored his first goal of the season in the victory.
“He needs to be what Drake Batherson was for us last year,” said Mann. “I'm not saying he's the same type of player, but we would like to see him put the team on his shoulders. He doesn't have the offensive prowess of Batherson, but he has other elements like penalty killing and elite speed. He's going to get an opportunity (in the NHL) at some point this season. Whether it's after the trade deadline or earlier, we know he's going to see games.”