Ahead of tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks, the Oilers arrived in California yesterday for their first practice after the holiday break, and head coach Kris Knoblauch debuted some new lines. Notably, Evander Kane was moved down to the third line. However, Connor Brown took an even harder demotion to the fourth line - and now things aren't looking good for his future in Edmonton.
Brown was brought in this season on a unique contract which will pay him league minimum this year, but a $3.225M bonus next year. When the Oilers signed Brown, they were hoping to secure some of his offensive talent and familiarity with Connor McDavid. After beginning the season on the first line, Brown has steadily fallen down the lineup, and now has gone all the way down to the fourth line.
More than that, Brown was expected to fill a penalty killing role on the team. Now, he's ranked fifth in forwards among PK ice time, meaning he's fallen outside the top two units. Of course, with no goals and only one assist in 24 games, the offence has been nonexistent as well.
With Coach Knoblauch recently scratching Connor Brown and now demoting him to the fourth line, the next course of action will be a re-assignment to the AHL. It's clear that Knoblauch doesn't trust Brown in his expected role on the team, and frankly, just about anyone else is performing better than him. The head coach has already shown his willingness to toss away contract considerations and play the best lineup, now the focus will be on the front office and their decision on the Connor Brown disaster
