Connor Brown emotionally explains real reason for leaving Edmonton Oilers
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Former Oilers forward Connor Brown potted an insurance goal against his former team, and it was clearly a big moment for him.
The Oilers lost their second straight game after a lacklustre effort to against the New Jersey Devils, Connor Brown's new team.
He only played 2 full seasons in Edmonton, but Brown quickly became a fan favourite for the Oilers, and it was difficult to see him leave in free agency last offseason. Signing a 4 year, $12M contract with the Devils, the Oilers could not match the offer to keep Brown.
Connor Brown opens up about difficult time to leave Edmonton Oilers
Speaking to the Athletic in an interview before facing his old team, Brown said it was an emotional decision to leave the Oilers - but the GM saw things differently.
I didn't necessarily want to go. Obviously, I've got to do what's best for me and my family and my own personal situation as much as I would love to keep knocking on the door with that team. It was heavy.
I was up at McDavid's cottage the week after we left. I was with a bunch of those guys. It was difficult. You go through so much with a certain group.
A new general manager comes in. It's a new situation. With the role that I was provided, I thought I excelled in that. Before I broke my foot in the playoffs, I thought I was a big contributor to those first two rounds. It's difficult. It's heavy. It's loaded. But I don't take anything personal. It's a business.
- Connor Brown
I was up at McDavid's cottage the week after we left. I was with a bunch of those guys. It was difficult. You go through so much with a certain group.
A new general manager comes in. It's a new situation. With the role that I was provided, I thought I excelled in that. Before I broke my foot in the playoffs, I thought I was a big contributor to those first two rounds. It's difficult. It's heavy. It's loaded. But I don't take anything personal. It's a business.
- Connor Brown
By Brown's words, it's clear that he truly wanted to stay in Edmonton, but was squeezed out as a salary cap casualty.
The 31 year old right shot winger had a unique experience that would have really endeared him to the fanbase and the intense hockey town in North Alberta. When Brown finally scored his first goal as an Oiler, fans gave him a full-blown ovation.
He was a great soldier for the Oilers in the ice in the last two playoff runs, and clearly a beloved figure in the locker room. It's unfortunate the Oilers weren't able to get the job done with him on the roster.
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