Connor Brown signs major contract with Devils, delivers message to Oilers and fans
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Oilers forward Connor Brown has officially left Edmonton to sign a 4 year contract with the New Jersey Devils in free agency, according to reports.
Brown was seeking a 4 year term on his contract, and a significant raise to $3M that the Edmonton Oilers weren't willing to pay. The 31 year old winger was a key bottom six player for the Oilers on their penalty kill, and with the ability to move up the lineup.
Connor Brown signs 4 year deal in New Jersey, delivers message on why he's leaving Oilers
Speaking to TSN moments after the deal was signed, Connor Brown said the New Jersey Devils were the best fit for him.
With a young core including the Hughes brothers, a quality supporting cast, and his former coach Sheldon Keefe, Brown believes the Devils could contend for a Cup - and they made an offer that wasn't there from Edmonton.
Brown also admitted that there is some emotion involved with leaving the unfinished business and his teammates in Edmonton, and even the passion of Canadian fans.
Yeah, it's a bit of a heavy heart. We left it all on the line. It's not an easy thing to turn the page there. Edmonton will always hold a special place in my heart.
I personally loved it. I loved my time in Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa. The highs are high, the lows are lower. It can be not easy to play in that fishbowl, but to play in a place like Edmonton and go on the runs we did - those are memories I'll carry for my life.
Canada's an amazing place to play, and that had no factor on this decision for me.
- Connor Brown
I personally loved it. I loved my time in Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa. The highs are high, the lows are lower. It can be not easy to play in that fishbowl, but to play in a place like Edmonton and go on the runs we did - those are memories I'll carry for my life.
Canada's an amazing place to play, and that had no factor on this decision for me.
- Connor Brown
Connor Brown was a quality player who gave his all every game, and was clearly a beloved figure in the locker room. Losing him, along with Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry, Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner - the losses are stacking up.
The Edmonton Oilers will need to get creative to fill some of their bottom six winger spots and replace the incredible depth they had last season under a cap crunch. For now, losing Brown will be a tough blow for Edmonton.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 1 | 1210 ANSWERS Connor Brown signs major contract with Devils, delivers message to Oilers and fans Do you think the Oilers should've signed Connor Brown? | ||
| Yes | 687 | 56.8 % |
| Not to this contract | 523 | 43.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
