Confirmed with Link: Oilers sign Connor Brown to 1-year incentive laden deal ($775K caphit, potentially $3.25M in bonuses)

[MessierII]

The caps traded a 2nd round pick to get Brown last year.

Yeah you’re right for some reason I thought he was RFA and signed a one year. Still though I’m unsure how he got a raise.

 

[duul]

Yeah you’re right for some reason I thought he was RFA and signed a one year. Still though I’m unsure how he got a raise.

Good point. How does someone who was injured the entire year get a 400k raise?

 

[Broberg Speed]

Yeah. Agreed on this I get the unsustainable argument, I do, but anybody watching Kostin shoot the puck knows he wires it and places shots damn well too. He's very effective shooting through a screen and has a quick release. Indeed Drai and Kostin were the ones that got to Korpisalo. Everybody else was having trouble finishing on him.

multiple scouting reports on Kostin said he had a "very good shot" Indeed one year in juniors he was over G/G scoring 35 in 33GP. The guy rips it. But this is bad. bad thing, bad.

Highlights of Klim Kostin as an Oiler on Russian NHL YT

 

[LTIR]

Oilers can’t afford the Duchene and Domi cap hits this year
This isn’t hard to understand

Duchene could have been given the same deal as Brown and he would have made 1M more.

775K+ bonus with condition being playing 10 games. We got brown for 4Mx1 but used a loop hole.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Duchene could have been given the same deal as Brown and he would have made 1M more.

775K+ bonus with condition being playing 10 games. We got brown for 4Mx1 but used a loop hole.

You can't give performance bonuses to players that aren't 35+ or don't have the injury status Brown & Pacioretty did

 

[Fourier]

I was talking in the present. In last full season played Brown only scored 10goals. Kostin scored 14 AND hits like a truck, smokes people in open ice, and answers the bell for fights. All this for HALF the price. I know who I'd be taking.

Brown also had 29 assists.

Brown can play in all situations. He can pk, can play on the pp. He can be out on the ice when you are defending a lead at the end of the game. He can play as a skilled complementary winger on your top line or in a shutdown roll on your third line. Can you say the same about Kostin??

I liked Kostin as much as anyone. But these guys are not in the same tier as players up to now. There is a chance that this changes next year if Kostin takes a huge step or if the injury really impacts Brown. BUt as of this point in their careers its not even remotely close. .

 

[Fourier]

Here is something that people may not be aware of. All of Brown's bonuses do not automatically go on next year's cap. Only the amount that is in excess of their end of the year cap space. Now that may not be a whole lot less than the full bonus. In fact, if Broberg and Holloway hit theirs it will probably be the full meal deal. But if Holland is careful during the year he could shave a say $500K off the carry over.

 

[russ99]

Here is something that people may not be aware of. All of Brown's bonuses do not automatically go on next year's cap. Only the amount that is in excess of their end of the year cap space. Now that may not be a whole lot less than the full bonus. In fact, if Broberg and Holloway hit theirs it will probably be the full meal deal. But if Holland is careful during the year he could shave a say $500K off teh carry over.

Also if a higher paid player with no cap protection like Kulak or Foegele have a poor season and/or are zoomed by rookies, we could move them out at the deadline to cut the bonus hit for next year, obviously not the full cap hit, since cap underage/overage is calculated daily, but enough to make a difference.

 

[nexttothemoon]

Also if a higher paid player with no cap protection like Kulak or Foegele have a poor season and/or are zoomed by rookies, we could move them out at the deadline to cut the bonus hit for next year, obviously not the full cap hit, since cap underage/overage is calculated daily, but enough to make a difference.

Here is something that people may not be aware of. All of Brown's bonuses do not automatically go on next year's cap. Only the amount that is in excess of their end of the year cap space. Now that may not be a whole lot less than the full bonus. In fact, if Broberg and Holloway hit theirs it will probably be the full meal deal. But if Holland is careful during the year he could shave a say $500K off teh carry over.

I agree... if the Holloway & Broberg bonuses weren't a factor... I could see a fair amount of cap accumulating all season long with the team running a 22 man roster (and maybe even occasionally 21) and the Brown carryover bonus would likely be possibly much smaller... but there's potential for a $1.5 million max carryover from Broberg+Holloway so even if they hit some of that... we'll probably see an even bigger bonus carryover amount rather than just Brown's full amount.

"Worst case" scenario is a full bonus carryover amount of $4.725 million between Brown/Broberg/Holloway. Combine that with Neal's buyout amount and that's a maximum dead cap amount next season of $6.64 million.

 

[Whyme]

"Worst case" scenario is a full bonus carryover amount of $4.725 million between Brown/Broberg/Holloway. Combine that with Neal's buyout amount and that's a maximum dead cap amount next season of $6.64 million.

Many have said it doesn't matter because the cap rises next year, but I don't think anyone can convince me that's the way it is. I can't see a situation where extra 3-5 million couldn't be used to make the team stronger than without that money. However, that doesn't automatically mean this is a bad move. I do think this tends to be a bit risky move and the full bonus is earned too easily. If Brown gets injured early on (but after 10 games) I would almost expect Holland to be more aggressive by the trade deadline and effectively close the window a bit for the next GM.

I think it'll be intetesting to see if Holland goes all in this year or if this is just an isolated case. I probably wouldn't do it myself, but by closing the window early the Oilers could IMO become the cup favourite, especially if Brown is healthy and close enough to his best game and if the goaltending situation goes well one way or another.

 

[Fourier]

I agree... if the Holloway & Broberg bonuses weren't a factor... I could see a fair amount of cap accumulating all season long with the team running a 22 man roster (and maybe even occasionally 21) and the Brown carryover bonus would likely be possibly much smaller... but there's potential for a $1.5 million max carryover from Broberg+Holloway so even if they hit some of that... we'll probably see an even bigger bonus carryover amount rather than just Brown's full amount.

"Worst case" scenario is a full bonus carryover amount of $4.725 million between Brown/Broberg/Holloway. Combine that with Neal's buyout amount and that's a maximum dead cap amount next season of $6.64 million.

My guess is that Holloway's bonuses are not very likely. Typically the games played bonus for an ELC is very small and he is not likely to hit any of the normal performance bonuses unless he really takes off.

Broberg may be slightly more likely to hit some of his bonus targets. But again, unless he takes off it is unlikley that his bonuses will amount to much. Lets say $200-300K max for both combined at the outside.

 

[nabob]

My guess is that Holloway's bonuses are not very likely. Typically the games played bonus for an ELC is very small and he is not likely to hit any of the normal performance bonuses unless he really takes off.

Broberg may be slightly more likely to hit some of his bonus targets. But again, unless he takes off it is unlikley that his bonuses will amount to much. Lets say $2002-300K max for both combined at the outside.

If those guys hit their ELC bonuses then it’ll be a very good thing for the club. Essentially Holloway would have to put up top 6 production and Broberg top 4 Dman numbers. I agree that the odds of their bonus cap hit next year being more than a few hundred k is pretty slim.

 

[nexttothemoon]

If those guys hit their ELC bonuses then it’ll be a very good thing for the club. Essentially Holloway would have to put up top 6 production and Broberg top 4 Dman numbers. I agree that the odds of their bonus cap hit next year being more than a few hundred k is pretty slim.

I agree... I hope they do hit their full bonuses... as that means they are performing well. Makes the cap situation more difficult next season... but if Holloway/Broberg take big steps forward... that's a big positive for the team as well.

 

[McJadeddog]

Brown also had 29 assists.

Brown can play in all situations. He can pk, can play on the pp. He can be out on the ice when you are defending a lead at the end of the game. He can play as a skilled complementary winger on your top line or in a shutdown roll on your third line. Can you say the same about Kostin??

I liked Kostin as much as anyone. But these guys are not in the same tier as players up to now. There is a chance that this changes next year if Kostin takes a huge step or if the injury really impacts Brown. BUt as of this point in their careers its not even remotely close. .

Lets start off with the fact that I hate, absolutely HATE, the Brown contract. I think it was at least 1 million too much on the bonus for next year, and the target of 10 GP is laughably low. Brown could be a shell of his former self, and still hit that GP mark easily. The bonus should be lower and there should have been some performance portion like points scored or whatever.

Lets continue this with my saying that I really liked Kostin. Great blend of some grit, and some shooting ability. Would play the body when needed, and seemed like a great room guy as well. I take Kostin on my team 8 days a week.

All that being said, Brown is 5 times the player Kostin is, even if Brown has lost a step due to the knee injury. Brown plays in all situations, is a true 200 foot player, can score, and can play almost anywhere in your lineup (outside of top line and top PP I would argue). As you said Fourier, they aren't even in the same conversation.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Lets start off with the fact that I hate, absolutely HATE, the Brown contract. I think it was at least 1 million too much on the bonus for next year, and the target of 10 GP is laughably low. Brown could be a shell of his former self, and still hit that GP mark easily. The bonus should be lower and there should have been some performance portion like points scored or whatever.

Lets continue this with my saying that I really liked Kostin. Great blend of some grit, and some shooting ability. Would play the body when needed, and seemed like a great room guy as well. I take Kostin on my team 8 days a week.

All that being said, Brown is 5 times the player Kostin is, even if Brown has lost a step due to the knee injury. Brown plays in all situations, is a true 200 foot player, can score, and can play almost anywhere in your lineup (outside of top line and top PP I would argue). As you said Fourier, they aren't even in the same conversation.

So you like the player and see him as an improvement to the team, but you're mad about stuff you assume. Makes sense

 

[guymez]

Brown also had 29 assists.

Brown can play in all situations. He can pk, can play on the pp. He can be out on the ice when you are defending a lead at the end of the game. He can play as a skilled complementary winger on your top line or in a shutdown roll on your third line. Can you say the same about Kostin??

I liked Kostin as much as anyone. But these guys are not in the same tier as players up to now. There is a chance that this changes next year if Kostin takes a huge step or if the injury really impacts Brown. BUt as of this point in their careers its not even remotely close. .

100%
This Kostin/Brown conversation/comparison is primarily being fueled by an emotionally based argument.
The reality is that there is no comparison regarding which player will contribute more.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Meh, it's just business. Barrie had lots of goodwill and was a locker room guy. Fans are much happier with Ekholm. This knife cuts both directions.

Kostin is more likely fighting for scraps his whole career, than not. 4M is a massive boon for a player like him. I doubt hes going to be able Jack Johnson himself into depth contracts to the tune of $15M over his career. Those players should always take as much as they can.

Yep. Kostin and his agent expected more and got more. Thing is Kostin delivered everything that could reasonably be expected here. Physical, hits, fights, adding 14 goals and being one of our better scoring wingers in playoffs. For this the guy gets healthy scratched several times and then gets sat in playoffs getting only 7mins a night. Very clear message to the player that he's considered just a bit part here despite his contributions and his goals in playoffs were huge. The message to Kostin and agent had to be clear, that the Oilers weren't going his way.

Whats he supposed to do? Sacrifice one more season and at league minimum hoping the team is interested when he already knows the coach isn't gonna play him much? That in turn would compromised Kostins NEXT contract as well.

Its one thing for Janmark an older player thats already made his millions to do a value one year here. Its different to expect a young player to do it in the first contract he has a chance to earn appreciable coin.

How many people would turn down doubling their pay? How many people would turn down 4M? Kostin got paid, good for him.

 

[Whyme]

100%
This Kostin/Brown conversation/comparison is primarily being fueled by an emotionally based argument.
The reality is that there is no comparison regarding which player will contribute more.

It may go well, but I don't think it's possible to know how it will be as the injury may play a part even if he manages to play through the season (which is likely). There's a research on pubmed (2020) that says the following in the conclusion:

Despite a high return to play, the performance after an ACL injury demonstrated a decrease in points and goals per game and per season.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the National Hockey League: Epidemiology and Performance Impact - PubMed

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries occur infrequently, as it relates to other hockey injuries. Despite a high return to play, the performance after an ACL injury demonstrated a decrease in points and goals per game and per season.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Lets start off with the fact that I hate, absolutely HATE, the Brown contract. I think it was at least 1 million too much on the bonus for next year, and the target of 10 GP is laughably low. Brown could be a shell of his former self, and still hit that GP mark easily. The bonus should be lower and there should have been some performance portion like points scored or whatever.

Lets continue this with my saying that I really liked Kostin. Great blend of some grit, and some shooting ability. Would play the body when needed, and seemed like a great room guy as well. I take Kostin on my team 8 days a week.

All that being said, Brown is 5 times the player Kostin is, even if Brown has lost a step due to the knee injury. Brown plays in all situations, is a true 200 foot player, can score, and can play almost anywhere in your lineup (outside of top line and top PP I would argue). As you said Fourier, they aren't even in the same conversation.

You’re the same guy who said McDavid signed only for the money and nothing else, that he cared about being paid than winning.

Namely, your opinion just doesn’t have much weight. Just knee jerk reactions that everything is awful.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Brown also had 29 assists.

Brown can play in all situations. He can pk, can play on the pp. He can be out on the ice when you are defending a lead at the end of the game. He can play as a skilled complementary winger on your top line or in a shutdown roll on your third line. Can you say the same about Kostin??

I liked Kostin as much as anyone. But these guys are not in the same tier as players up to now. There is a chance that this changes next year if Kostin takes a huge step or if the injury really impacts Brown. BUt as of this point in their careers its not even remotely close. .

OK, lets play that game. Kostin on the whole had 14G 12A 26pts in the 68 games he played with the Oilers. Connor Brown pots only 10G and 29A for 39 pts in the 64 games he played in last season he played. (plus zero pts in the 4 games he played last season making it an equal 68GP) But 9 of those are PP pts. For an apples to apples comparison Kostin produced more pts, more goals, more everything in EV/60mins. Brown played a lot more EV minutes and only had the same 26EV pts as Kostin. Maybe people forgetting that all of Kostins pts are EV?

The one thing Brown is better at is pk. But Kostin brings all kinds of intangibles.

 

[Whyme]

OK, lets play that game. Kostin on the whole had 14G 12A 26pts in the 68 games he played with the Oilers. Connor Brown pots only 10G and 29A for 39 pts in the 64 games he played in last season he played. (plus zero pts in the 4 games he played last season making it an equal 68GP) But 9 of those are PP pts. For an apples to apples comparison Kostin produced more pts, more goals, more everything in EV/60mins. Brown played a lot more EV minutes and only had the same 26EV pts as Kostin. Maybe people forgetting that all of Kostins pts are EV?

The one thing Brown is better at is pk. But Kostin brings all kinds of intangibles.

I wouldn't like to seem too negative, but I also think during that time span (68-69 games/last season) Kostin's numbers are more convincing. However, in this forum fans don't seem to value ES points as much as you and I do, it's more about total points no matter what the TOI or PP time is. It'll be interesting to see how Brown and Kostin will do next year, could go any way. Before dropping this from my side I add that I'd rather paid 1.5 (I believe that'd been enough if he'd been rewarded by his performance here)-2 million to Kostin than 4 to Brown coming from a serious injury, but I could be wrong which I hope. I have no idea what Brown's contribution will be at this stage so I don't really know.

 

[Drivesaitl]

100%
This Kostin/Brown conversation/comparison is primarily being fueled by an emotionally based argument.
The reality is that there is no comparison regarding which player will contribute more.

Theres no argument regarding an unknown? Really?

Thats not reality, its supposition on an event that has not occurred. Detroit may well get more from Kostin than we get from Brown. Its a possibility.

Also that Connor Brown will not be getting much PP usage here so the 9PP assists he bagged in last season played are unlikely to be a thing here. He may get 2nd unit time but that unit barely hits the ice.

 

[Jet Walters]

Brown might not get much PP time here, but he’s the perfect replacement in the Hyman spot should Zack miss any time to injury. You could plug him in there and not miss a beat. Plus he’ll be a fixture on the pk, and his two way game is miles ahead of the likes of Duchene or Domi. There’s not a better fit for what the Oilers needed for under a million dollar cap hit. It’s a calculated risk by Holland to maximize the roster based on where the salary cap will be this year and next.

 

[McDoused]

OK, lets play that game. Kostin on the whole had 14G 12A 26pts in the 68 games he played with the Oilers. Connor Brown pots only 10G and 29A for 39 pts in the 64 games he played in last season he played. (plus zero pts in the 4 games he played last season making it an equal 68GP) But 9 of those are PP pts. For an apples to apples comparison Kostin produced more pts, more goals, more everything in EV/60mins. Brown played a lot more EV minutes and only had the same 26EV pts as Kostin. Maybe people forgetting that all of Kostins pts are EV?

The one thing Brown is better at is pk. But Kostin brings all kinds of intangibles.

Wait so Brown doesn't bring intangibles but Kostin does? I've told you already, go watch Brown play before you comment on him.

-Brown has 448 games of NHL experience to Kostins 103.
-Brown doesn't take stupid Penalties. His last season he only had 10PIM in 64GP (5 minors). Kostin had 66PIM (17 minors).
-Brown has had two 20+ goal seasons while Kostin has a career high 11G (with Edmonton).
-Brown has a sustainable 11.6 shooting % (career). Kostin is riding an unsustainable 19.6% last season.
-Brown played 20:03 TOI/GP in 2021/2022. Kostin was half that at 10:04 TOI/GP.
-Brown plays the PK, Kostin doesnt.
-Brown cost us $775k this year, Kostin took $2M in cap (plus the 500k from Yams buyout).

They aren't even close to the same player.

 

[Sra1974]

Another scenario could be that Brown comes here makes the bonus but struggles mightily. In that scenario you could look to move him at the TDL to a cap floor team I guess.