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Former Oiler Connor Brown explains personal reason for leaving Edmonton
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Deciding to leave a team in which a player has had success, and where he is liked by teammates and fans alike, is not an easy decision.
Former Oilers forward, Connor Brown, had reached the Stanley Cup Finals in consecutive years, and was a main contributor, though in both cases, his team lost to the Florida Panthers.
In the 2024 playoffs, Brown and his linemates were quite effective, combining for 21 points, with 9 coming in the Finals alone. The following playoff, in 2025, Connor Brown's ice-time increased, and scored 5 goals in 20 playoff games.
Yet, despite his success with the Oilers, Brown left Edmonton for New Jersey on a free agent signing, a 4-year deal worth $12M.
Connor Brown spoke to media on his first Devils' availability, commenting about his decision to sign with the Eastern Conference team.
"It was a balancing act to narrow down the places I wanted to be. I mean, ultimately, I would say the main factor is the skill of the team and the direction of the team. I think the team is in a position to get better and better over my term, and I anticipate some good playoff runs and things like that.
There are other things that go into it. The East Coast is closer to our family. We got a little guy, so to be able to have family visit him a little bit easier and things like that."
- Connor Brown
There are other things that go into it. The East Coast is closer to our family. We got a little guy, so to be able to have family visit him a little bit easier and things like that."
- Connor Brown
Connor Brown's contribution to a team goes beyond the postseason, however. He is a solid, two-way player that adds considerable depth. He is projected to slide into a 3rd-line role, an area Devils' GM Tom Fitzgerald said he would address following his team's loss to Carolina in the first-round of last year's playoffs.
Yet, although the foundation of the two-way winger's game is the penalty-kill, Connor Brown's 5-on-5 scoring is something New Jersey needed.
"The one thing we were looking for," Fitzgerald added. "was 5-on-5 play. When you look at the goals total of Brown, the majority are at 5-on-5."
In 82 games with Edmonton last year, Connor Brown scored 30 points (13G,17A), the 5th time in his career Connor has reached the 30-point mark.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 1 | 469 ANSWERS Former Oiler Connor Brown explains personal reason for leaving Edmonton Would you like to have seen Connor Brown sign with Edmonton at free agency? | ||
| yes | 357 | 76.1 % |
| no | 112 | 23.9 % |
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