What is Connor Brown Worth On an Extension with the Oilers? – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

Connor Brown's shorthanded goal early in Game 5 against the Florida Panthers was a big boost for the team at a time when the club needed a strong start in a must-win game. It was the second game in a row that Brown came up big, putting the team in playoff position. These days, it sounds par for the course when it comes to Brown.

Spittin Chiclet's Ryan Whitney praised Brown, calling him “an absolute beast” and highlighting his key role in getting the team to a second straight game. Frank Seravalli emphasized the importance of Brown's goal, noting that it took 55 games and time spent as a healthy scratch for Brown to score his first goal of the season with the Oilers. “Now he has scored their biggest goal of the season. Until now. Short hand. It's a game of elimination. Getting the shell early. Oilers fans who once lamented their signing jumped on Brown. David Staples tweeted Oilers fans: “I don't want to hear anyone else whine, cry, or bite about Connor Brown's bonus.”

Brown went from healthy in these playoffs to one of Edmonton's best depth players. Has the narrative changed so much that the Oilers are considering re-signing Brown at the end of the season?

Brown has fought hard to get to this point with the Oilers

Brown's journey thus far has been difficult. He went almost two full years without scoring an NHL goal. After finishing the 2022 season with Ottawa, he was traded to Washington, where he tore his ACL early in the season. He missed the season and became an unrestricted free agent last summer. Looking for a chance to stay with a contender, have a solid season, and possibly increase his value, he signed a one-year, affiliate deal with a big bonus to play 10 games with the Oilers.

Edmonton figured he would be an inexpensive and solid player in the Oilers' top six. Little did everyone know that it would take a long time for Brown to get his feet back under him. The Oilers weren't the only ones who misjudged his recovery time as Brown received multi-year offers from other teams. Brown never fully recovered from his ACL surgery and it wasn't until late in the season that he started to look like the player the Oilers thought they were signing. At that time, many fans had turned against him.

Brown's Tale of Two Parts

Brown admitted how difficult the first half of the season was. But, things have taken a turn for the better in the last few months. He said, “I didn't have the jump in the regular season that I do now, and to be honest, that's because of the energy and the staff working well.” He went on to say, “Their help this year to get me out of where I was and get to where I am physically, it's hard to put into words.”

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Brown's resurgence is the right time for the Oilers. His performance has sparked discussions about his future with the team and it seems reasonable that the Browns and the Oilers would like to continue their relationship. His recent play will undoubtedly attract attention on the free agent market but the key question will be the cost of keeping him. Will he choose to be offered a better deal by another team, or stay with Edmonton for a lower salary but a greater chance of success? There's a lot to give up by leaving Edmonton: friends, competitive roster, great coaching staff, familiarity.

The Oilers should be open to extended negotiations, especially if Brown falls somewhere in the $1 million to $1.5 million range on a new deal. It may be another annual contract, but it can also work for both parties. It gives Brown a full season to see what he can do if he's healthy and the Oilers aren't tied up in time when they have big contract decisions coming up.