The first two paragraphs of your post were spot on but you kinda fell apart after that.
Playing Brown in a 3C role with 1st pp minutes is a way to insulate him and ensure he gets ice. He very well may be our best C on the PP out if camp so if he is, he should play there. But 5 on 5 he'll likely need to be brought along a bit slower and insulated defensively.
I just dont see a situation where he isn't here until the TDL unless it is injury driven and as far as we know right now, he is healthy
Funny how I see it as the exact opposite as you do. Who on this years sens team is going to insulate him exactly JD1? This team is barely an NHL roster the premise makes sense but if you critically look at this roster the concept is a fallacy. Innocent Bystanders post was accurate in the description of the player and how he is going to develop.
Throughout this thread no one has given me a single good explanation as to why its better for him to be in the NHL to start the season other than 'the best competition breeds the most improvment' which would be accurate if he had actually proven he is ready. Which he has not. What it really sounds like to me is fans that are hopeful to watch him because there wont be alot to be excited about and havent had much of an opportunity thus far into his career. Based on peoples expectations in this thread I dont think many posters are familiar with where Brown is at in his game coming into the season. I will now factually break it down as to the argument that its better for him to stay in the AHL.
-The most games he has ever played in a season is 64. Therefore he has missed significant development time over his career.
- Brown is only 21 years old and is late to physically mature because of his size. Big players always take longer. Innocent bystander is very likely correct in that he wont hit his peak prime until 24/25 which is very different from most forwards especially high draft picks. Due to both these factors the team needs to take their time with him and not rush the player taking an unnecessary risk in his development.
- Brown needs to prove he can not only stay healthy but play at a high level for long stretches. He went ice cold down the stretch last year when they were pushing for a playoff spot. This is evidence of potentially two things.
A. He has not proven he can be consistent yet.
B. He struggled with hard matchups.
- Brown has played a total of 62 pro games in his life and not a single playoff game.
- Brown needs top 6 ice time to continue his develpment. I think everyone ageees with that. The scenario on Belleville is far more attractive for him in this regard. (Better team, winning mentality and environment, easier competition)
- This is a throw away season so there is no need whatsoever to force him into a situation he is not ready for. When he gets a top 6 roll he will face the other teams best players, very difficult for a rookie NHL center to do. But not only that he will be doing it on the worst team in hockey with the least amount of support. Which brings me back to JD1's argument they will insulate him. Insulate with who exactly? Wingers like Ryan, Boedker, Brown, Tkachuk, Duclair or other rookies and 2nd year players? With a d core that has 1 legit top 4 d man?
- Playing in a winning environment vs the worst team in the NHL.
- Asset management. Pageau, Anisimov and Tierney will be in elevated roles, on soon to be expiring contracts. The icetime you want to give to brown would alternatively go to them. Putting the team in a situation to aquire higher end assets to put towards the 'rebuild'. If the team does trade 1 or even 2 of them 50/60 games into the season that is the perfect time to being Brown up.
- Right now the sens have 4 centermen coming to camp not including Brown. White, Tierney, Pageau and Anisimov. Brown would have to be at worst the 2nd best by a wide margin at camp (barring injury) to make the team forcing one of them to the wing. I just dont see it especially from a coach that all he has talked about is centermen back tracking the puck better and supporting down low.
I do think if he comes in and dominates camp he should start with the team. However based on his history and where his game is at i do not expect it. If he does make the team then struggles, there should be no hesitation to send him down. If he makes the team and they barely play him thats the absolute worst case scenario. With this management team I will put nothing past them.
In final conclusion barring injury I think he starts in the AHL and I dont think its a bad thing.