As a free agent over the summer, Brown went un-signed before agreeing on a try-out basis to attend the training camp of the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 13, 2016. He was released from his try-out at the conclusion of training camp by the Blue Jackets and remained a free agent into the 2016–17 season. On December 20, 2016, Brown belatedly signed a professional try-out ("PTO") contract with the Blue Jackets affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. After 11 scoreless games, he was released from his PTO with Cleveland on February 12, 2017.