With start of a new season rapidly approaching, maybe, one Senator prospect is making a change.
Yesterday, we learned that Sens forward Logan Brown has hired a new agent. Andy Scott is out. Jeff Jackson is in.
Under normal circumstances, it’s a move that would garner almost zero attention but with Sens news pretty hard to come by these days, it’s something a lot of people noticed.
Of course we only really know who Brown’s agent is because right around this time last season, his former-agent was on local radio talking about the lack of opportunity his client was getting with the Senators.
There were a few quotes that made the news but is this one in particular that stuck out…
“I can say with full confidence, that I’ve really never seen another player met with such resistance by the team that drafted them early in the first round,”
Brown was one of the final cuts during last year’s Camp and obviously the agent (and presumably the player) were pretty unhappy.
It’s safe to say that the public statements by his agent really didn’t do Logan Brown any favours. He did eventually get into the Ottawa line up, appearing in 23 games with the Senators in the 2019-2020 season. But it’s the kind of thing a General Manager remembers. It certainly seemed intentional when Brown’s name always seemed to get left out when Sens management talked about the team’s prospect depth.
And that’s why a change in agent probably comes at a good time for Brown.
With a new season on the horizon, Logan Brown finds himself in a pretty similar spot to last year’s Camp. While he certainly has a chance to make the team, it’s not a guarantee. His contract status (two-way deal, no waivers required) means he’ll have to come into Camp and earn a spot.
There are openings there for the taking though as the Senators certainly aren’t what you would consider deep down the middle.
Chris Tierney is locked into one of the spots. Colin White probably has another although the wing is option for him. Artem Anisimov is an NHL vet on a one-way deal so he’s probably got a bottom-six centre spot.
That means there’s probably one centre spot up for grabs. Josh Norris wants it. Tim Stuetzle may fill it from time to time. And Logan Brown is right there too.
At 22 years of age, the time is now for Logan Brown. He has shown flashes of skill at the NHL level but his pace and his unfortunate injury issues have held him back till now.
When he’s healthy and contributing, he certainly looks the part of a point-producing top six centre. And there is certainly room for those in Ottawa. It’s now up to Brown to prove he’s ready.
With a new agent and fresh start, this could be the year that Logan Brown finally becomes an everyday NHLer.
