The Canadiens have put an emphasis on drafting bigger players and that could lead them to drafting the biggest forward of the draft in Logan Brown.
Yesterday, I profiled Windsor Spitfire defender Mikhail Sergachev as an option for the Canadiens at the 9th pick. Sergachev isn’t the only talented draft-eligible player that plays for the Spitfires. Center Logan Brown has turned a lot of heads this year and could sneak his way into the top 10.
Similar to his Windsor teammate, Logan Brown entered the year ranked in the bottom half of the 1st round. He excelled all season and has elevated himself to being a potential top 10 pick. That could lead to the Canadiens calling his name with the 9th pick come draft day.
Draft Rankings/Mock Draft
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Sportsnet – 8th
Draft Site – 15th
TSN Draft Rankings – 13th
ISS – 7th
McKeen’s – 13th
TSN Mock Draft – 9th
Hockey Prospect – 16th
Future Considerations – 14th
As you can see by his rankings, many are conflicted to where Brown will eventually go. Some love his size and feel he can be a dominant center. Meanwhile, others see a player with elite size but who also fails to utilize it to his fullest potential.
Like many prospects in this draft, Logan Brown has a strong hockey lineage. His father, Jeff Brown, was one of the best offensive defencemen of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Logan Brown has some strong aspects to his game, namely his vision and offensive instincts. He is not the most fluid skater but holds his own in that regard. He is also more of a passer than a shooter.
Brown put those skills on display for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. In his 2nd year in Windsor, Brown placed 2nd in team scoring with 74 points(21 G, 53 A) in 59 games. Brown also dominated for Team USA at the World Under-18’s where he posted 12 points(3 G, 9 A) in 7 games.
Bill Placzek of Draft Site sums up Brown’s strengths nicely here:
"He effectively uses his reach on the forecheck and to keep the puck away from the opposition. Besides having excellent vision and hockey sense, he is a above average stickhandler who handles the puck well. His size enables him to win puck battles and although his skating style is awkward, it is effective enough to help him gracefully moves into areas to create space and open teammates. He has a decent shot which he needs to improve and actually use more frequently. He never looks out of place no matter what pace the game is moving at. He projects to be a NHL power scoring wing but to actually develop into that prototypical power forward he needs a few parts to his game."
Tyler Parchem of Elite Prospects adds:
"Brown is a huge center that excels at both ends of the ice. He can be dominant in the offensive zone but takes care of his own end as well. His 6’6 frame is key to his success as he uses his body to shield his puck and his reach to keep it off other players sticks. He is not overly physical for a player his size, but will finish every check and battle down low very effectively. He has a good shot with a pro like release as well as good creativity and maturity when passing the puck."
Despite some widely agreed upon weaknesses he needs to work on, it is also widely agreed upon that if he works those out, he could be a top-end 1st line player.
Next: Canadiens Draft Options: Mikhail Sergachev
Odds he’s Available to the Canadiens at 9th – High
With as much talent as their is in top half of the 1st round, it doesn’t seem too likely that Brown goes earlier than 9th. As it stands right now, the Canadiens hold the 9th pick. Brown is less polished and definitely has some areas to his game that need improvement. In a sense, he and Tyson Jost are in similar situations.
Working in Brown’s favor to be taken by the Canadiens is the fact GM Marc Bergevin has put an emphasis on drafting big players in the 1st round. Since the 2012 draft, the Canadiens have drafted Alex Galchenyuk, Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak and Noah Juulsen in the 1st round. All 4 of those players are at least 6’2″, 200 lbs, with McCarron topping the foursome at 6’6″, 231 lbs.
Brown is listed at 6’6″ and 215 lbs and being a natural center, he fits the exact mold of the kind of player Bergevin targets. If the Canadiens were to select Brown with the 9th pick, it would give them great center depth that have an ideal combination of size and skill.