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

[Fourier]

Brown has been one of my fav players since his Junior days. He's a hard worker that plays with a lot of emotion and he compliments skilled players very well, he's a very good playmaker. Not sure how his recent injury will affect his already average skating however, that's what held him back the most through his NHL career so far.

I'm sure Brown will do great for your team!

Thanks!

 

[McDoused]

 

[McDoused]

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Damn that's a nice goal

 

[McDoused]

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I know he's only listed at 6ft, but he looks bigger

 

[McDoused]

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

It's like Hyman. People were questioning him because of his injury history (although he didn't miss the prior season due to injury), his paltry playoff production with Toronto and looking at his raw numbers and seeing a guy that had a career high of 21 goals and 41 points and didn't think much of him as a top 6 option but, like Brown, he's one of those guys that you just have to watch to appreciate.

Now, I'm not saying that Brown is going to produce like Hyman has but he's a guy that this fanbase will fall in love with quickly. I will admit that the $3.25m bonus that he'll almost certainly receive next season could be problematic but I'd rather have to deal with that and have this player on the team this year than sign some league minimum player that isn't close to as good as Brown.

I don't remember a lot of negativity around the Hyman signing. He was a sought after, coveted free agent especially for an Oilers team which lacked size and compete. If anyone quibbled, I speculate it was the hard reality that a top UFA guy was going to get max term. Great body of work with elites and a true power forward chassis at 6'1 211 pounds.

Brown is a fortuitous situational quirk that allows upfront value payment with all but over $3 million guaranteed bonuses tied to playing 10 games. This quirk enabled him a raise after his significant injury to a $4 million contract. His high motor game will be valuable and ability to complement elite hockey sense talent so important. I'm hoping his two-way game translates into PK time where this team needs help. All said, he's an average size player at 6' 185 pounds, not a big body frame like Hyman. The Oil need a career year from this player north of his personal best 21 goals and 43 points. TSN Ottawa during the signing announcements were lauding his tenacity on the PK and chances he created but bemoaned his not great finishing skills.

Right wing has been a graveyard on this team. Here's hoping Brown can deliver another high character, high work rate to this team and that the opportunity to play with super elites will lift this player's counting numbers.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

I don't remember a lot of negativity around the Hyman signing. He was a sought after, coveted free agent especially for an Oilers team which lacked size and compete. If anyone quibbled, I speculate it was the hard reality that a top UFA guy was going to get max term. Great body of work with elites and a true power forward chassis at 6'1 211 pounds.

Brown is a fortuitous situational quirk that allows upfront value payment with all but over $3 million guaranteed bonuses tied to playing 10 games. This quirk enabled him a raise after his significant injury to a $4 million contract. His high motor game will be valuable and ability to complement elite hockey sense talent so important. I'm hoping his two-way game translates into PK time where this team needs help. All said, he's an average size player at 6' 185 pounds, not a big body frame like Hyman. The Oil need a career year from this player north of his personal best 21 goals and 43 points. TSN Ottawa during the signing announcements were lauding his tenacity on the PK and chances he created but bemoaned his not great finishing skills.

Right wing has been a graveyard on this team. Here's hoping Brown can deliver another high character, high work rate to this team and that the opportunity to play with super elites will lift this player's counting numbers.

I remember a few posters here compared Hyman to Kassian.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I remember a few posters here compared Hyman to Kassian.

Wow. I must have totally literally and figuratively blocked that out. But can imagine it from a usual suspect or two.

I remember a great deal of excitement especially coming off the Canadian Division season.

 

[OilerTyler]

Wow. I must have totally literally and figuratively blocked that out. But can imagine it from a usual suspect or two.

I remember a great deal of excitement especially coming off the Canadian Division season.

Confirmed with Link: - Zach Hyman Signs 7 Years @$5.5M AAV

forums.hfboards.com

Actually a funny read. You'll see a certain someone who has had a heavy presence in this thread bemoaning the Oilers for signing a player with a "career peak of 40 points". Yeah, that was definitely Hyman's peak.

 

[tiger_80]

What I love about Connor Brown based on his highlight video from 20-21..seems a lot of his goals are greasy and he has a lightning quick response to open pucks in the offensive zone. Something I feel like the team has lacked...

A Hyman lite by the sound of it. As long as he stays healthy, he could be a solid addition. Probably will get opportunities in the top six as Oilers are pretty thin on the RW.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Confirmed with Link: - Zach Hyman Signs 7 Years @$5.5M AAV

forums.hfboards.com

Actually a funny read. You'll see a certain someone who has had a heavy presence in this thread bemoaning the Oilers for signing a player with a "career peak of 40 points". Yeah, that was definitely Hyman's peak.

Nah.


If people actually look at my other posts in that thread made the same day I make it clear I'm fine with Hyman but concerned about the length of the contract. Given age of player towards end of contract. We're seeing the good Hyman curve of the contract so far but age and injuries tend to diminish value in last half of these types of longterm contracts.

The Oilers are now a pretty old team and veering to one of oldest in the league. Thats going to increasingly be a concern. we're not helping ourselves anytime we get rid of young players like Kostin and get more30yrs olds instead.

This fall we're likely to be one of the oldest teams in the league.

 

[Broberg Speed]

I know he's only listed at 6ft, but he looks bigger

Nah, he looks smaller.

Not meant to be a criticism but Connor Brown gives me Dean Mcammond vibes. Mcammond playing on the wing of McDavid likely has Mcammond topping 60 points several times in fantasy hockey.

Connor Brown being a good friend of Connor McDavid is absolutely a bonus.

 

[McJadeddog]

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.

I still stand by the fact that McDavid didn't need to sign the contract he signed, and that the team would be a lot better off if he signed for 10.5, rather than 12.5. I think this is pretty obvious. He didn't need that extra $2 million a year as he makes millions/year in endorsements, and will still easily make +200 million in his career overall. But lets keep this thread about Brown.

I don't see how I said anything was awful with Brown, outside his contract. I really like the player, as I think I was pretty clear about.

 

[guymez]

Kostin can play topsix and looked excellent with Drai almost any time he got toi with him. Theres a profound difference between how a player was used and whether they can be used.

Kostin is an exceptional talent that was touted to go early in draft year prior to a shoulder injury dropping him lower. In his draft class he was considered one of the best players. Contrast this with Brown a 6th round pick and its kind of hilarious people all concluding what Kostin can do and what his ceiling is. Kostin was 23 when season ended. He's a young player carving his way that will probably grow his game more. Its distortion to say this can ONLY be a 4th line player. Detroit already thinks differently.

The defensive conclusions are interesting too. In last two season in 68GP Brown is -18 with high GA. Much of that being in bottomsix play. Kostin over last 68GP here is +14 in regular season and playoffs combined and is RARELY on ice for GA.

yet all I hear is this fiction that Kostin is horrible defensively.

Realize that Connor Brown may have dropped off, and really his stats ain't that pretty recent seasons. Brown is turning 30. Kostin is young and turning into playing prime and with only upside.

Show your work. If you make a claim that Kostin can play effective top 6 minutes then by all means back up that statement.

Additionally...I never once said what Kostins ceiling was. I have said again and again that he could likely improve as a player. This argument has never been about upside.
So thats an obvious strawman/misdirection on your part.

A typical tactic when someone is losing an argument.

Also...why do you continue to use +/- stats when you know that have little to no credibility?
You shoot down PDO and then use +/- to support your argument.
Very perplexing.

If you are going to continue to put so much time and effort into this...at the very least try to have an honest discussion.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Show your work. If you make a claim that Kostin can play effective top 6 minutes then by all means back up that statement.

Additionally...I never once said what Kostins ceiling was. I have said again and again that he could likely improve as a player. This argument has never been about upside.
So thats an obvious strawman/misdirection on your part.

A typical tactic when someone is losing an argument.

Also...why do you continue to use +/- stats when you know that have little to no credibility?
You shoot down PDO and then use +/- to support your argument.
Very perplexing.

If you are going to continue to put so much time and effort into this...at the very least try to have an honest discussion.

Anytime I stated +/- I concurrently stated low GA. No end of people here including you are saying Kostin is suspect defensively. But that doesn't show in any of the broader counting numbers.

I've maintained throughout in the discussion that Kostin is a better asset now, and is likely to appreciate. Whereby a much older Connor Brown is likely to depreciate. Especially after a long absence from hockey and injury.

PDO isn't much of a stat either. I produced a link showing the concerns with that stat. In anycase people initiating that Kostin is a poor 200ft player could possibly elaborate on that rather than just their opinion.

In anycase you were the one just a few posts ago saying that you define what reality is. lol speaking of honest discussion.

This is what you stated:

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.


The bolded is conjecture at best, and poor at that. the phrase "will contribute more" is future tense. Meaning what the respective players do going forward. I actually think its a dead heat in present terms and that in future terms Kostin is likely to become the better player.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

I still stand by the fact that McDavid didn't need to sign the contract he signed, and that the team would be a lot better off if he signed for 10.5, rather than 12.5. I think this is pretty obvious. He didn't need that extra $2 million a year as he makes millions/year in endorsements, and will still easily make +200 million in his career overall. But lets keep this thread about Brown.

I don't see how I said anything was awful with Brown, outside his contract. I really like the player, as I think I was pretty clear about.

Did you take a paycut at work so your boss could surround you with better employees?

 

[Drivesaitl]

Nah, he looks smaller.

Not meant to be a criticism but Connor Brown gives me Dean Mcammond vibes. Mcammond playing on the wing of McDavid likely has Mcammond topping 60 points several times in fantasy hockey.

Connor Brown being a good friend of Connor McDavid is absolutely a bonus.

Considering McD's track record on player suggestions I sure don't see it being a bonus. As stated this isn't a party, its a pro hockey team. I give a rats ass Connor liked playing with Connor a decade ago in Junior.

If anything when either of McD or Drai have had their compatriot or Junior play things here its been more a distraction than helpful.

 

[Broberg Speed]

Considering McD's track record on player suggestions I sure don't see it being a bonus. As stated this isn't a party, its a pro hockey team. I give a rats ass Connor liked playing with Connor a decade ago in Junior.

Half-a-rats-ass and a side pickle?

 

[Biltmore]

Who's this Macdavid kid? Not too shabby!

 

[Broberg Speed]

Who's this Macdavid kid? Not too shabby!

Who says Connor Brown doesn't get a shot on pp#1?

 

[McJadeddog]

Did you take a paycut at work so your boss could surround you with better employees?

Well actually one time I KIND OF did. It wasn't a pay cut though, it was "giving up a pay raise so we could give it to another person" kind of thing. Long story, and I'm not about to go into it. It's not exactly the same though at any point, and your point is taken.

My rebuttal would be that my personal wealth and work situation and McDavid's wealth and the NHL salary cap are not remotely the same. I am not "generationally wealthy", with or without a raise, like McDavid is. Nor does my employer have a hard salary cap which provides a sum-zero scenario like the hard NHL cap does. I would additionally say that my company would not be able to "succeed" in any meaningful way by my giving up 10% of my salary, the same way the Oilers would if McDavid gave up 10%. My employer has thousands of employees, so my entire salary wouldn't move the needle even 1%.

So no, I haven't taken a pay cut, but the situations aren't remotely the same, and its a false equivalency.

Again, though, lets drop this discussion, as it is not relevant to this thread.

 

[guymez]

With all respect that can be said a hundred times, but IMO it's not that black and white. If Brown can be what he was before the injury I agree that those are very valuable sides in his game. I certainly don't want to downplay that. But if Kostin can keep 70% of his production with an increased TOI that'll also be very valuable and worth more than 2 million. That'd be almost 22 ES goals per full season (with about 20 minutes per game), but of course we don't know if he'll manage to do that. As for PP we can't say much about Kostin as he didn't get any of it, but it's not an impossible thought he'll get to try that next season.

Kostins shooting % was almost 20% this past season.
An increase in TOI is also going to mean more unsheltered minutes.
Kostin had 75% of his zone starts in the neutral zone or the offensive zone with the Oilers.

So he is going to have to be successful without Draisaitl and McDavid eating up all the tough minutes More tough matchups and a drop in sh% is likely to affect his point production quite a bit.

Look...it seems that I am being put in a position to argue that Kostin cant be a good player. That isnt my argument at all and never has been.
My argument is that (all things considered) Brown is a better fit for this team at this time.
Brown simply brings more to the table especially when you consider the cap hit for the next 2 seasons. Brown is strong player on the PK and a strong player defensively 5x5. With proven offence as well.
Those are things that Kostin simply cant provide and for $2M for 2 seasons Kostin wasnt playing here.
Its really that simple IMO.

 

[Arpeggio]

Well actually one time I KIND OF did. It wasn't a pay cut though, it was "giving up a pay raise so we could give it to another person" kind of thing. Long story, and I'm not about to go into it. It's not exactly the same though at any point, and your point is taken.

My rebuttal would be that my personal wealth and work situation and McDavid's wealth and the NHL salary cap are not remotely the same. I am not "generationally wealthy", with or without a raise, like McDavid is. Nor does my employer have a hard salary cap which provides a sum-zero scenario like the hard NHL cap does. I would additionally say that my company would not be able to "succeed" in any meaningful way by my giving up 10% of my salary, the same way the Oilers would if McDavid gave up 10%. My employer has thousands of employees, so my entire salary wouldn't move the needle even 1%.

So no, I haven't taken a pay cut, but the situations aren't remotely the same, and its a false equivalency.

Again, though, lets drop this discussion, as it is not relevant to this thread.

McDavid probably did give up ~10% of his salary. If anyone in the league was going to earn a max contract at that time, it would've been McDavid. He easily could've asked for that if he wanted to.