Former 1st-Rounder To Miss Start of Lightning Season To Injury

After bringing him in on a one-year, two-way minimum contract this summer, the Tampa Bay Lightning were hoping that 25-year-old center Logan Brown could win a spot in their bottom-six. But those plans are now on hold, as Brown is out "indefinitely" due to an undisclosed injury.

#GoBolts F Logan Brown and D Roman Schmidt are both out indefinitely and won't be ready for the beginning of the season. Brown was brought in on a two-way deal to compete for bottom-six spot, hasn't been on the ice for a practice yet. Schmidt is heading into 1st pro season.

— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) September 29, 2023

And on Sunday, to add insult to injury, the Lightning have now assigned Brown to Syracuse in the AHL, rather than placing him on injured reserve. 

Brown was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, selected by the Ottawa Senators. He spent four years there, bouncing between the AHL and the big club, never really getting his footing in the NHL. He spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Blues, where he managed 17 points in 69 games total, playing about 10 minutes per contest. 

He came in to the Lightning camp expecting to win a role with the club, but hasn't hit the ice yet for even a practice, and now his injury leaves him not only out indefinitely, but also without an NHL job for now. 

Defense prospect Roman Schmidt is also out and won't be ready for the start of the season.

Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsJeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports