I've never understood the "I can't wait for him to fail so I can say I told you so" thing. Isn't it flat out better for the team for you to be wrong about the player than for it to turn out to be as you say so you can gloat. I have issues with the size of the bonus but that's different for manufacturing flaws in the player. If you watched him he's not a guy who "fumbles" pucks by the way.
What are the Oilers getting for the money. A player who is known to be able to play in all situations in a position of significant need for this team at a cap hit that fits their rather unusual situation. If he can score 15-20 goals and put up 35-40 points with relatively little pp time while pk'ing and playing a solid 2 way game how is that not worth the investment?
Of course I want him to come in and put up 40.
Even if he does, was it worth the 3.25 next year? Are we a 40 point winger away from winning here? I understand there is a balance now, with the team in a horrific spot salary wise, that concessions must be made. Self-inflicted wounds dealt with however possible.
I am of the opinion that he could come in and put 80 points up and he still wouldn't be worth the 3.25 next year without him on the team. This player does not put us over the top. He doesn't even move the needle a considerable amount. He is a guy that has played as a role player type on Ottawa for f*** sake, who have nobody. Like a lot of the other players on this club who got thoroughly exposed when playoff hockey comes around, he fits into the same mould. Playoffs come around and he is going to be too slow with his feet and his hands to make plays effectively. Just like Hyman, just like RNH, just like Yamo, just like Kane. All of these types of players get exposed and massacred out there while guys with real tenacity and fast hands like a Marchessault, Stephenson, Eichel, Barbashev thrive. It's a totally different mindset of player and style we're trying to play that gets exposed continually versus teams who can skate and play fast.
Go re-watch our series vs Vegas. It was a miracle we hung in there as long as we did. They have players who do an amazing job of keeping plays alive with speed and forecheck, with holding onto pucks into the offensive zone and soft slow ups, whipping pucks into traffic. The polar opposite of a perimeter team. They score off the rush like crazy with these little slow ups.
Contrast to Edmonton who unless you're McDavid or Drai, you're putting it deep and hoping a guy like Yamo or RNH get there and win a battle (lol), then cycle ad infinitum. The only player who is remotely successful at this is Hyman and it is at the expensive of him never lifting his head to see any other option.
Take into consideration what WILL be a natural regression of point totals for guys like him, RNH, McDrai, and you're left wondering just what the f*** the purpose of Connor Brown is going to be on this hockey club. We failed to address any area that we got exposed in during the year and in the playoffs especially. We failed to analyze what we struggled with in terms of offensive production in the playoffs.
We removed a 40 point player in Yamamoto to bring in another 40 point (at best) player in Connor Brown, and this is meant to accomplish what? Do you see a scenario in which anything other than another total defensive collapse occurs in most of our games? Do you think Connor Brown helps us outscore these problems and allows us a chance to win a Cup this year? If every single thing goes right for him, if he doubles his career point totals and is a fan favourite in our group, then I will consider the signing to be of value. Anything less and it is only crippling this team going into next season.
I admit I may come off as harsh and overly critical at times on here, but I respect your knowledge of the game Fourier. This is meant to be a discussion of Connor Brown, not a battle by any means. Perhaps my style is abrasive at best...
For me, I can not imagine a scenario in which I come away from this happy we signed Connor Brown. He can double his career best season and it won't be enough. If you ask me for alternatives on what I would have done, I would have recommended that the only real solution is a buyout. If we are sabotaging ourselves into next season, why not fully send it this year and embrace that? Why not give us a REAL shot at a Cup, try and make us a favourite? Buyout Campbell or Nurse or something, move prospects and picks, move out salary, go big game hunting for Tank or someone, get Karlsson or Pesce -- these are moves that help you win a cup. Replacing Yamamoto with Brown does absolutely nothing to increase your chances man.
This was a half-measure by a man who has never had an understanding of the cap, who is on his last legs saying screw it, and who is too cowardly or does not have owner approval to do what's REALLY necessary to give this team a real Cup favourite shot at winning this thing.
Imagine being Staois seeing the state this team is in cap wise, with guys like McDrai into their last couple years here. What the f***? If Staois chooses Ottawa, it was because of this signing.
