Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Patrick Brown Ready to Make the Jump to the NHL?

Between now and the start of the preseason, Cardiac Cane will preview every Carolina Hurricanes prospect as they enter the 2015-2016 season and what we expect from them in the coming year.

Player: Patrick Brown

Position: Center/Right Wing

Date of Birth: May 29, 1992 (23)

Birthplace: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (U.S.A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″/210 lbs.

2015-2016 Team: Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) and Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Scouting Report:

"Brown is the epitome of a sum-of-all-parts player who plays a sound game in all facets and does whatever is necessary to win games. Not overly skilled in any one particular area and never drafted while playing with several high profile prospects at Boston College, Brown was a team leader for the Eagles and brings that same type of character to the pro level. (HOCKEY’S FUTURE)"

Patrick Brown, an undrafted free agent out of Boston College, has just as good of a chance out of anyone competing for a bottom-six spot on the Hurricanes roster this season, but does he have what it takes to actually stick around?

Brown, 23, has been described as an all around decent player. He won’t wow you in many facets of his game, but you know what you’re going to get out of him. The former BC captain turned pro last season after signing a two-year deal with the Hurricanes.

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His first 3 seasons at BC were slow, but his numbers flew up in his senior season. He captained the Eagles and played along side Johnny Gaudreau, a finalist for the 2015 Calder Trophy.

Undoubtedly, his numbers were boosted by playing along side the NCAA player of the year in Gaudreau in 2013-2014, but he at least he showed the ability to play with good players and keep up with them.

Brown made the Carolina Hurricanes out of training camp last season, but his early-season audition didn’t last very long. He played 7 games in October, tallying 0 points and obtaining a -4 plus/minus, prior to being sent back down to Charlotte for the remainder of the season.

He averaged under 9 minutes of ice time per game with the Hurricanes early in the year with a 46.24 corsi for percentage and a 85.42 PDO, which is on ice save percentage plus on ice shooting percentage, so since he scored no goals, that means his on ice save percentage was just over 85%, which isn’t good. To put that in comparison, Brad Malone’s PDO was 98.05, but consider he had much more of an opportunity and played 65 games.

Unfortunately, Brown’s fortunes didn’t turn around after being shipped to Charlotte. He picked up just 2 goals and 10 points for the Checkers in 60 games played. He was also a -11 player.

Granted, the Checkers were anemic offensively, and Brown couldn’t have really done anything about that. Where Patrick Brown’s value comes is playing reliably in all areas.

At no point will Brown be an offensive force, but if he can use his body to get in shooting lanes and cause some trouble in front of goalies, he can at least be some sort of factor. If he can do that, and then play a strong and physical game, he can be a guy that Carolina can place on their bottom line and feel comfortable with.

Think a Brad Malone type player. Sure, sometimes Malone will score a greasy goal, but he isn’t expected to score 10-15 goals. He is expected to play a reliable defensive game, throw the body, finish his hits, and grind down opponents and wear them out. That is what Brown needs to do as well.

Being a right wing also helps Brown’s chances of cracking the opening night lineup due to Carolina’s lack of wingers, and right handed wingers specifically. Riley Nash and Elias Lindholm are the only right handed forwards currently slated to be on next year’s team, and one of them will likely be at center, if not both of them.

Related – Josh Wesley Looks to Follow in His Father’s Footsteps

Out of all the forwards competing for a bottom-six spot this season, Patrick Brown is probably near the top of the list based just off the fact that he isn’t a risky player and he can play decently well in a limited, defensive role. He also has more experience in the NHL than almost all of the other candidates, which isn’t saying much.

It’s probably a coin flip for Brown to make the team out of training camp. If he does make the team, he will probably see under 10 minutes of ice time per game, and he will also likely see much more AHL time.

This is a big season for him, however. He is in the last season of his rookie contract, and if he can prove that he can be a reliable bottom-six forward and use his size efficiently, he may get some looks on the open market next offseason, or the Carolina Hurricanes will sign him to another two-way deal before then.

Next: 2015-2016 Season Preview for Prospect Phil Di Giuseppe