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

[Fishy McScales]

A contract like Browns for Brown?

I don’t mind the contract type in general, but any large sum put against next years cap seems extremely shortsighted, as next Year should represent just-as-important of a cup-window year for us as this year. If you look at Pacioretty’s deal, maybe that would have been more palatable (splitting the small cost over 2 years instead of a big cost in the 2nd year)

If Brown took a deal where we could reasonably afford to sign him next year and still be paying him ~3M or less total (including this years bonus and next years salary) , it might be more palatable. But not even having a player to fill the slot and paying over 3M for the privilege of having a bottom 6 player this year is almost unfathomable.

On “The Drop” there is a phone conversation where you only see Holland’s side of it, and the player/agent are never named. It sounds to me based on the hints that the player was probably Bjugstad. The agent is telling Ken that he has a 2 year offer elsewhere for more than the Oilers are offering for 1 year. Ken tells him it’s a good deal and congratulatons go take it. The agent appears to be trying to get Ken to come up to a 2nd year, even if its at the low value Ken previously offered (sounds like its low 1.x M, he just says “i dont have any more money”)

Anyway, if we just assume that this is Bjugstad we’re talking about, I can’t understand why Ken wouldn’t have made it a 2 year offer. The agent was just looking for something to take back to his player. Obviously the player wanted to be here. Ken didn’t budge.

Bjugstad is a good player Worth a 2 year deal, if we hadn’t tossed this bonus laden deal to Brown this would have been a no brainer.

Sorry I was unclear, I meant a contract like Brown's for Bjugstad as a way of matching Arizona's offer.

I suppose the problem with doing it for Bjugstad is that it's relatively low reward even if the risk is also low.

With Brown it was high risk, high (potential) reward so that's why they went for it to my mind.

Never liked Brown's contract since it never made sense for the Oilers to willingly give themselves dead cap in the middle of their window.

 

[oil Leaks]

Brown is saving all his goals for the playoffs

 

[Drivesaitl]

Its coming. I swear if Ottawa would have pulled their goalie for the whole 3rd period Brown might have potted something. lol seeing his best efforts late in game with Sens already caving and then in the open net situation. Only times you notice the guy is when the opposition are asleep.

 

[nabob]

Its coming. I swear if Ottawa would have pulled their goalie for the whole 3rd period Brown might have potted something. lol seeing his best efforts late in game with Sens already caving and then in the open net situation. Only times you notice the guy is when the opposition are asleep.

Bogus. He had a strong game today in his limited minutes with AHL line mates.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Bogus. He had a strong game today in his limited minutes with AHL line mates.

Strong game? Really!

Connor Brown is the worst player on any line he's on this season.

His minutes in third period were largely with Drasaitl.

 

[mkatcherin00]

Ok is it just me or does he not look close to his speed before he got injured? Definitely b4 washington. Even in pre season I told myself "gee, he seems faster than I thought he was" lol

 

[OilerTitanFan]

Its coming. I swear if Ottawa would have pulled their goalie for the whole 3rd period Brown might have potted something. lol seeing his best efforts late in game with Sens already caving and then in the open net situation. Only times you notice the guy is when the opposition are asleep.

Crying over a player with a cap hit of 770k. You must be expecting a 50 goal scorer with that salary. The player is barely making enough to buy himself a one bedroom condo in Edmonton. I guess that is more than what I'm getting paid and I have zero goals this season.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Strong game? Really!

Connor Brown is the worst player on any line he's on this season.

His minutes in third period were largely with Drasaitl.

I know this really bothers you.

But he can both have a strong game, and still have a shit contract.

His 1:37 with Draisaitl was the only reason he looked good tonight!

You're aware you can easily look up these things right?

 

[Aerchon]

I honestly don't believe anyone who is supposedly supporting Brown in this thread. Only family, friends, and I suppose his agent could possibly even pretend Brown is anything but an anchor on this team for not one but two years.

The media, out of pity or pay checks, will polish the turd, but the people here are just unbelievable. Literally.

The funny thing being his cap penalty for next year while not playing has more value than his actual play this year.

 

[Bank Shot]

Strong game? Really!

Connor Brown is the worst player on any line he's on this season.

His minutes in third period were largely with Drasaitl.

I'm curious what hockey games you watch. The guy does the right things on the ice out there.

Maybe you are too results focused and not looking at the process enough. Could be why you thought Klim Kostin was going to breakout this year.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Honestly since moving to the 4th line he's been solid.

Imo he's formed a solid PK duo with Janmark, and he doesn't seem as timid with the puck as he was in the top 6. He actually gotten and has create a couple "assist worthy plays" over the last few games (The lob to spring Janmark following a nice breakup on the PK vs. OTT is a good example of all of the above)


He reminds me a fair bit of Ryan, when he first came to the Oil, Super ineffective to start the year, to the point people where calling him a washed and a mistake. But he turned it around once he finally settled into a role, I can see Brown doing the same.

Don't believe me? Here are the receipts (which look strikingly similar to responses in this thread). Also, these were Ryan's stats going into new years day back in 2022: 28GP, 2G, 0A, -11; Pretty damn comparable to Brown's 29/0/3/-8 splits so far this year.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Brown had a few really nice set ups that his teammates didn’t finish. Couple nice steals in the O-zone, nice work on the Pk, a nice takeaway that saved our bacon when Ottawa was in our zone for like a minute and Ceci and VD were on together.

Still not great but I have liked his game the past 5 games or so. Needs to start getting points though.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

For what it's worth to anyone I have decided 2 things about Connor Brown.

1. The contract and bonus is what it is, nothing can be done, so whatever. At least he's playable

2. He might have some kind of Romani curse preventing him from ever scoring again, but he's still making himself playable.

 

[MessierII]

Sorry I was unclear, I meant a contract like Brown's for Bjugstad as a way of matching Arizona's offer.

I suppose the problem with doing it for Bjugstad is that it's relatively low reward even if the risk is also low.

With Brown it was high risk, high (potential) reward so that's why they went for it to my mind.

Never liked Brown's contract since it never made sense for the Oilers to willingly give themselves dead cap in the middle of their window.

That wasn’t an option. Bjugstad wasn’t eligible for the type of contract we gave brown.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I'm curious what hockey games you watch. The guy does the right things on the ice out there.

Maybe you are too results focused and not looking at the process enough. Could be why you thought Klim Kostin was going to breakout this year.

The process? I get what you're saying but the player shows no confidence whatsoever on rushes any time except shorthanded. In numbers back situations Brown does nothing. he coughs up the puck, makes a misplay. EV he's been horrible and turning the puck over each game. His best play, invariably, and his best offensive forays are shorthanded. Some players become like this. When nothing is expected, shorthanded, the pressure is off and they can make some plays. I've seen players in my time watching the game that NEVER get over this hoop after extended absense from the hardest game in the world. Connor Brown is still nervous EV and tied into knots. Sometimes this never stops.

I'll tell you a story from decades ago. The Oilers had a forward, Jiri Dopita. Was said to be the "best player out of Europe" he'd had a decent season in Philly and then came here. People (especially Euro posters) would be telling us he's making all the right plays, he's processing the game at a high level, he's above what his linemates are (even though some of those linemates could produce. Dopita kept making inane passes to nowhere, kept losing the puck, being stripped, and had 1 goal his whole time here. He was a flop here and the team ditched him and he headed back to Europe neve to return. Theres not much similar between the players, Dopita was a primary passer setup guy, but something reminded me of him in the way that you responded. Dopita was tunneling himself into the ice he was so inept offensively here. He had topline, PP, was getting nothing. some people all along kept saying he was making all the right plays, his linemates weren't properly reading his plays.

For all we know we're seeing the end of the Connor Brown career in the NHL. The Oilers have tried everything to get this player going. He's been on top line, 2nd line, he's had stints with McDrai together. Its almost impossible not to produce playing next to McDrai. Brown managed it, he got nothing. He's back with Drai as of last night. Again nothing.

As far as Kostin I don't know I was saying breakout but I thought he could be a decent player and knock in 15 goals. Our bet was 25pts. But proviso on that was due to Wings saying he would get ample minutes in detroit and have "a much bigger role" They rescinded on this before season even started as they had recruited several extra forwards and Kostin from word go banished to 4th line limited minutes. He's been out injured for the last month. No player can produce on the bench or out of the lineup.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I honestly don't believe anyone who is supposedly supporting Brown in this thread. Only family, friends, and I suppose his agent could possibly even pretend Brown is anything but an anchor on this team for not one but two years.

The media, out of pity or pay checks, will polish the turd, but the people here are just unbelievable. Literally.

The funny thing being his cap penalty for next year while not playing has more value than his actual play this year.

As is common in hockey we see players around the league and pick our spots, we like certain players. This was certainly the thing with Brown and apparently he had a lot of fans, and even Oilers fans that liked his play. The trouble was Brown isn't that player anymore. He's a guy that can make an occasional play but he's not even close to where a Gagner is at this stage in career. Someone like Sam is consistently making informed plays to net. Every game he's setting some tables. With Brown its rare stuff and its been 2mtsh of "its coming. If people look back its been that long that people have been saying he's improving. It seems to become about what the thought of the player is instead of what he's being.

This is 48NHL games without a goal now. For a forward, and one that gets ample topsix minutes that is indescribably awful. Off the charts awful. If the name was Belanger or Reider people would be resolutely wishing him out of town. Every poster would be. But his name is Connor Brown. Its about the only difference I can spot.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Brown had a few really nice set ups that his teammates didn’t finish. Couple nice steals in the O-zone, nice work on the Pk, a nice takeaway that saved our bacon when Ottawa was in our zone for like a minute and Ceci and VD were on together.

Still not great but I have liked his game the past 5 games or so. Needs to start getting points though.

He had the lob pass shorthanded that was nice. Thats one. Was there anything else? Which other good play did he make in O-zone.

Seems odd in anycase for any comment to be assigned to teammates that "didn't finish" when Brown himself is a 48 game in a row virgin.

I do think Brown is being good on pk and oddly its his best looks defensively or offensively. he's not been good EV by any stretch.

Problem too that a player that was trying to get more involved in plays and a bit more to paint, rather than just peripheral has stopped getting much to net. Just 1sog each game in January. He's not scoring and now he's not even getting chances. Least in December he was getting some.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

He had the lob pass shorthanded that was nice. Thats one. Was there anything else? Which other good play did he make in O-zone.

Seems odd in anycase for any comment to be assigned to teammates that "didn't finish" when Brown himself is a 48 game in a row virgin.

I do think Brown is being good on pk and oddly its his best looks defensively or offensively. he's not been good EV by any stretch.

Problem too that a player that was trying to get more involved in plays and a bit more to paint, rather than just peripheral has stopped getting much to net. Just 1sog each game in January. He's not scoring and now he's not even getting chances. Least in December he was getting some.

Wait so I can’t say Janmark didn’t finish on the breakaway because Brown has no goals? Zero logic there. He had a nice pass to McLeod which was fired wide, he had a nice pass to Kane which was saved. He caused some turnovers on the forecheck.

I get you are proud you called this signing a mistake but try noticing the good plays sometimes instead of obsessing with every little bad one. This thread is 90% you.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Wait so I can’t say Janmark didn’t finish on the breakaway because Brown has no goals? Zero logic there. He had a nice pass to McLeod which was fired wide, he had a nice pass to Kane which was saved. He caused some turnovers on the forecheck.

I get you are proud you called this signing a mistake but try noticing the good plays sometimes instead of obsessing with every little bad one. This thread is 90% you.

Thanks. Now I remember the Kane play, not the Mcleod one though.

Its not about me. Its about what the player isnt doing.

The bolded stuff veers to levels of silliness. Don't be rude enough to believe you read others minds and I won't be rude enough to do it to you. Again the only wish I have in regards to the player is that the Leafs in an alternate universe signed this player. That would be funny. We could both laugh at that.

 

[Stoneman89]

He had the lob pass shorthanded that was nice. Thats one. Was there anything else? Which other good play did he make in O-zone.

Seems odd in anycase for any comment to be assigned to teammates that "didn't finish" when Brown himself is a 48 game in a row virgin.

I do think Brown is being good on pk and oddly its his best looks defensively or offensively. he's not been good EV by any stretch.

Problem too that a player that was trying to get more involved in plays and a bit more to paint, rather than just peripheral has stopped getting much to net. Just 1sog each game in January. He's not scoring and now he's not even getting chances. Least in December he was getting some.

Yes, he is doing what McLeod was doing for the first 25 games of the season. Steering clear of any type of net front presence. The only thing keeping him in the lineup right now is his PKing, which has been excellent. But he needs to start going to the dirty areas to break out of this. He doesn't have a booming shot that he can score from distance. He should be copying Hyman every chance he gets.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Thanks. Now I remember the Kane play, not the Mcleod one though.

Its not about me. Its about what the player isnt doing.

The bolded stuff veers to levels of silliness. Don't be rude enough to believe you read others minds and I won't be rude enough to do it to you. Again the only wish I have in regards to the player is that the Leafs in an alternate universe signed this player. That would be funny. We could both laugh at that.

Fair enough.

 

[Drivesaitl]

View attachment 798226

Fair enough.

haha. On both accounts we can't. That was more my point. Look, I'm obsessive. Its something I deal with. Not too well apparently heh.

Nah, I've made strides. When I was young I had OCD tendencies. I've eliminated almost all of them except for selective online posting and not stepping on too many cracks on sidewalks. (joking about the latter)

My mind one tracks. Who knew. I get thinking about certain things and it can lock. Thats being as honest as I can be about it. If you look at my posting history on Yams etc, you know its the case. To facilitate the board I've even stepped away from threads several times and taken myself out of them. If people want I'll do it on this one.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

haha. On both accounts we can't. That was more my point. Look, I'm obsessive. Its something I deal with. Not too well apparently heh.

Nah, I've made strides. When I was young I had OCD tendencies. I've eliminated almost all of them except for selective online posting and not stepping on too many cracks on sidewalks. (joking about the latter)

My mind one tracks. Who knew. I get thinking about certain things and it can lock. Thats being as honest as I can be about it. If you look at my posting history on Yams etc, you know it’s the case. To facilitate the board I've even stepped away from threads several times and taken myself out of them. If people want I'll do it on this one.

Haha don’t make me feel bad.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Haha don’t make me feel bad.

Not trying too. Its one of the adjustments I've made. If people, majority say so, I'll leave the thread and not return to it. Its something I've offered often if I get too locked in. No prob.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Not trying too. It’s one of the adjustments I've made. If people, majority say so, I'll leave the thread and not return to it. It’s something I've offered often if I get too locked in. No prob.

You are fine. Just some typical forum banter my guy.