Article content continued

“I came here and my goal was to push for a spot,” Brown said. “It’s just getting through every day and being one of the hardest workers every day and sticking to the game plan. I feel like I’ve done that so far. I’m here to make the team and I feel like there’s opportunities to make the team, so I’m coming here and trying to show I’m ready.”

Let’s face it, Brown is hard to ignore at 6-6. He showed a willingness to go to the front of the net Saturday and it was there that he picked up the rebound of a shot by Bobby Ryan and beat Al Montoya with a backhand.

Make no mistake, coach Guy Boucher has been impressed with the development of Brown, who last season struggled with injuries.

“Compared to last year, we know Logan he has a high-end NHL mind,” Boucher said after Saturday’s win. “We knew that, and that’s why he was drafted (high). We’re talking about a real high-end vision and quickness to see what he’s got to do to make plays.

“For a bigger guy to be able to make these plays in a small and confined environment it’s pretty impressive. Last year, he was definitely lacking the pace, the speed and the stamina, which he drastically improved over the span of this year. Now, he’s improved it so much he’s improving every game.”

Brown, the son of former NHL defenceman Jeff Brown, has all the tools.

“His size was always there, his mind was always there, his technical attributes were always there. Right now, it’s about the pace and maintaining it,” Boucher added. “As we move along, I think we’ll see if he can maintain that. He’s going to make it hard for us and that’s good for us.”