Former Oiler Connor Brown off to startling pace with New Jersey Devils

Brown has already faced his former team early this season, and emotionally explained that he never wanted to leave Edmonton. He became a salary cap casualty for the Oilers, but is perhaps proving them wrong in New Jersey.

In today's game against the Colorado Avalanche, Brown made a good read and turned on the jets for a breakaway chance which he didn't miss. He scored his 5th goal in 9 games so far in New Jersey.

Those 5 goals would have Brown tied for first on the Edmonton Oilers, who have also played exactly 9 games. That's hard to believe considering the Oilers are the team known for their elite offence - and Brown once scored 4 goals in 71 games for the Oilers.

Brown was a great role player for the Oilers, and even had some hot streaks which saw him elevated in the lineup. It's not likely he'll keep scoring at this pace, but he'll still be a good player for New Jersey.

Oilers fans have been looking at Brown's hot start and missing his style of play in Edmonton. Unfortunately, they just couldn't afford to pay up to match New Jersey's 4 year, $12M offer.

In Brown's place, the Oilers have signed and promoted a number of young role players who can fulfill their positions on cheaper contracts - now they just need some of those players to develop into hits.