In a shocking turn of events, former Ottawa Senators first-round draft pick, Logan Brown, is set to join the Tampa Bay Lightning for their upcoming training camp on a professional tryout contract. This news was first brought to light by Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, sending ripples through the hockey world.
At 26 years old, Brown is no stranger to the NHL scene. Despite a somewhat lackluster season with the St. Louis Blues last year, where he managed just two goals and six points in 30 games, there’s still hope that he can turn things around. His brief stint with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds also raised some eyebrows, as he recorded two assists in just two games.
Initially selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Senators, Brown’s journey in the NHL has been far from smooth sailing. Making his debut during the 2017-18 season with Ottawa, he struggled to find his footing and eventually returned to junior hockey. Despite another brief stint with the Senators in the 2019-20 season, where he notched one goal and eight points in 23 games, his time in Ottawa was seemingly coming to an end.
In a surprising turn of events, Brown was traded to the St. Louis Blues during the 2020-21 season, along with a fourth-round pick, in exchange for Zach Sanford. This change of scenery seemed to revitalize Brown, as he went on to play a career-high 39 games with the Blues in the 2021-22 season, scoring four goals and 11 points along the way.
Now faced with a new challenge in Tampa Bay, Brown will have to fight for a spot in a forward group that has seen some notable additions and departures this off-season. With names like Jake Guentzel, Jesse Ylonen, Zemgus Girgensons, and Cam Atkinson joining the team, the Lightning said goodbye to former captain Steven Stamkos, leaving big shoes to fill.
The stage is set for Logan Brown to prove his worth and show that he belongs among the elite in the NHL. As he gears up for training camp with the Lightning, all eyes will be on him to see if he can rise to the occasion and secure a permanent spot on the roster. Only time will tell if Brown can rise to the occasion and make a lasting impact in Tampa Bay.
