RUMOR: Edmonton Oilers Inching Closer to Let Go of Veteran Top Forward

When rumors started swirling last summer about the Edmonton Oilers eyeing Connor Brown, fans were ecstatic. The prospect of pairing him up with Connor McDavid, his past point-producing prowess, and the hunger he'd have coming off an ACL tear had us all buzzing.

However, things have taken a turn. As the NHL trade deadline looms closer, it's becoming clear that Brown's days with the Oilers might be numbered. He's now found himself sidelined as a healthy scratch for the second time this season, and it's not looking good.


The first scratch back in December left Brown visibly emotional, a move aimed at shaking him out of a rough patch. However, this time feels different, especially after the recent acquisitions of Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick on Wednesday. Brown's role as a penalty kill specialist, once solid, is now overshadowed by the prowess of these new additions in that department.


Sure, Brown has notched five assists at 5v5, but that's nothing compared to Corey Perry's stats, who managed to surpass him in far fewer games. Plus, with the Oilers struggling to ignite their bottom six, there just doesn't seem to be a place for Brown in the lineup anymore.

The Dilemma of Connor Brown: Is His Time with the Oilers Running Out?

Stats-wise, Brown's overall production rate slots him in at a fourth-line level, largely due to his penalty kill contributions. And according to Evolving Hockey's Wins Above Replacement model, he's ranked as the second least valuable player in the league this season with a dismal -1.6 WAR.

Enter Sam Carrick – a player who, despite some shortcomings in driving play, has still managed to make an offensive impact this season with eight goals and 11 points in 61 games for Anaheim. Add in his physicality and willingness to mix it up, and suddenly Brown's grip on a regular roster spot seems even shakier.

With cap space now on their side, the Oilers have options they haven't had for most of the season. And as the trade deadline approaches, it's not just hard to envision them re-signing Brown – it's tough to see him cracking back into the lineup on a regular basis. If the Oilers do decide to make a move before the deadline, Brown could very well be the odd man out as they look to free up cap space and shake things up.