According to 32 Ideas by Elliott Friedman, many teams are intrigued by Connor Brown’s intentions regarding free agency and whether he’s destined for the Edmonton Oilers. Friedman stated, “There is great curiosity among many teams about Conor Brown’s thought process, his destination, and his prospect of joining Edmonton.”
Of course, nothing is guaranteed, but the fact that most clubs that would look at Brown think he’s destined to join Edmonton is a good deed for the Oilers, who should and may be interested in the attacking free agent.
Darren Dreger at TSN Insider Trading noted that the Oilers are interested in acquiring Brett Pesce from the Carolina Hurricanes to bolster their defense, but they need to overcome the challenge of creating salary cap space. They are also keen to add a competitive and cost effective introduction such as Connor Brown. Dreger speculates that players such as Cody Cisse, Warren Voegele and Kyler Yamamoto could be involved in the trades to facilitate these moves.
To mitigate the risks, the Oilers have the option to structure Brown’s contract with a heavy bonus approach, similar to that for a player over 35. Because he has missed over 100 games but played over 400, he is eligible for a uniquely beneficial contract. The arrangement would allow Brown to sign for a salary close to the league minimum, secure a prominent right wing role within a stacked offensive lineup, reunite with former junior teammate Conor McDavid, and potentially earn big bonuses, thus boosting his value for the following summer.
What about Brown’s health?
Any team showing interest in the player will need to be careful about Brown’s health, and doubts remain about whether the Oilers should pursue the 29-year-old free agent’s unrestricted right wing. Brown spent the majority of the previous season on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to reconstruct a torn ACL in his right knee. The injury occurred last October during a game against the Canucks, and his recovery period was estimated at 6-8 months.
the next: