Connor Brown and the Edmonton Oilers. Are Oiler fans finally getting a confirmation on this signing?
Ever since the end of the 2021-2022 regular season, many reporters and analysts have talked about Connor Brown possibly going to Edmonton to play with his junior teammate, the human highlight reel, Connor McDavid. The trade was pretty much completed last summer when Bob McKenzie had tweeted about it on July 13th, 2022:
The on-again, off-again Connor Brown to EDM from OTT trade talks would appear to be back on. Not a done deal but if there are no hiccups, Brown is soon likely to become an Oiler.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 13, 2022
Unfortunately, the trade was not consummated and he got moved to Washington instead. His season did not go well with the Capitals as he only played in 4 games before tearing his ACL. This injury derailed him for the whole season.
Ever since he’s gotten fully healed, he has been back on the ice and he has been rehabbing and practicing hard. From what was said on the podcast that Luke Gazdic is running now (check it out!), it sounds like Brown is back to form and itching to get into the action.
So let’s get the breakdown on what kind of player Connor Brown is and why a lot of Oiler fans are excited:
In my opinion, from my analysis of him and from what I have noticed about his game, Connor Brown has a relentless and never ending, no quit attitude in his game whether it be offensively or defensively. He can play both wings (although he seems to prefer the right side) and he has a nice goal scoring touch around the net which is why he has scored over 20 goals twice in his injury riddled career. He also is great on the penalty kill and he has great foot speed. He plays very much like Zach Hyman.
One thing that some people don’t seem to appreciate is Brown’s playmaking ability. He is very underrated in that regard and he’s a tremendous forechecker. But, the biggest aspect that sticks out to me, and what makes me most excited about him, is his hockey IQ. He has a very high amount and it is always apparent on the ice and all over the ice. This will give him an easier time to mesh with either Draisaitl and McDavid (again) since they like playing with wingers who know where to be on the ice and what the right play usually is.
Whenever the Oilers played Ottawa, he is the one player that always stuck out to me in one of the best ways possible. But, that is not to say that Connor Brown does not come with some negatives to his game. The biggest is his injury history. He has quiet a bit of it and that is why signing a player like this comes with risks. But, from the sounds it, his ACL injury has healed up very well. The one other negative I’d say is his style can create more injuries in the future.
However, from the sounds of what some analysts and reporters like Chris Johnston and Bob Stauffer are saying, the Oilers are in the driver seat in singing Brown and it seems like, if Connor Brown signs here, it will be for around 1.-1.3 million with bonuses for 1 season. The bonuses, of course, will be high as Brown will be betting on himself. It sounds like he wants to come where he has a chance to win the Stanley Cup and play with former teammates from Junior and the NHL, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman
If Connor Brown signs here and enters that Top Six of Edmonton, there is a lot to be excited for if you are an Oilers fan.
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