3) Connor Brown
Okay, this one’s a bit different, in that Connor Brown has just played poorly full stop this season. However, along these lines, he certainly hasn’t improved since Knoblauch’s arrival.
There was a lot of understandable optimism when Brown became the Oilers’ main forward addition during the offseason. Renowned as a complementary two-player in the top six, he’s usually been good for 30+ points per season.
In addition, the Toronto native already had some experience playing alongside McDavid, from their days together with the Erie Otters. As such, the expectation was he would only strengthen a team which led the NHL in scoring a season ago.
Instead, Brown came out firing blanks, unable to get anything going. His 10th game came and went with not even one point, triggering a $3.225 million bonus which, while you can’t blame him for getting it, was not exactly earned.
It was only after Knoblauch arrived in Edmonton, that the 29-year-old finally recorded his first point, an assist versus the Anaheim Ducks. However, even this was tainted, with pretty much everyone getting a point in the 8-2 blowout win. (Okay, slight hyperbole, but you get the idea, with 12 of the Oilers’ 18 skaters getting on the scoreboard.)
In total, at the time of posting Brown is still on just one overall point in 22 games, with a -10 plus/minus rating second-worst only to Warren Foegele. (Who at least is providing some offence, with four goals and six assists in 28 appearances.) That this lack of productivity has come despite plenty of opportunities in the top six with McDavid and company is extremely concerning.
There is a suggestion the former Maple Leaf has just not fully recovered from the ACL injury which cost him all but four games last season. Further, while not related to said injury, he has a goal-scoring drought which extends 40 games back to the 2021-22 season, when he was with the Senators.
Overall, the remainder of this season will be extremely crucial for Brown, with him set to become a free agent once it has concluded. As things stand the Oilers are unlikely to bring him back, and if he carries on as he has done, suitors in general for his services will be limited.
When considering the trio, we have the most confidence in Draisaitl returning to the form Oilers fans are used to. Kane should also be fine in the long run, but the outlook for Brown is a lot more bleak.