Connor Brown Struggles Have Created A Hole In Oilers
This offseason the Edmonton Oilers signed Connor Brown to a bonus-laden contract where his cap hit this season is $775000, but his bonus amounts to a total of $3.225 million. Since the Oilers are so close to the cap his bonus overages will be added to next season's cap hit.
Since he has already hit the bonus the Oilers already will be on the hook for that $3.225 million next year. No one would be upset about this if Brown was having success on Connor McDavid's wing like he was brought in to. We would even be good with him helping Leon Draisiaitl out, but he is not helping anyone out.
Through his 24 games played Brown has a measly 1 assist and is a -10. For a player who was brought in to play in the Oilers top 6 that is unacceptable. The fact that he hasn't played the way that the organization had hoped has left a hole in the top 6.
Who Can Fill The Oilers Top 6 Hole Created By Brown
Brown has been a bust in the Oilers top 6 so much that he was even healthy scratched two games ago against the New Jersey Devils, and he only got back into the lineup against the Rangers because Sam Gagner was injured. Since he isn't used in the top 6 other players need to be used.
Warren Foegele is playing some of the best hockey in his Oilers career right now and it couldn't come at a better time. The Oilers have a hole in the top 6 and Foegele right now is a top option for that spot. He has a good shot which he showed last night in his goal against the Rangers.
Ryan McLeod is also on fire right now, having scored 3 goals in his last two games. There is no doubt that he has the speed to play in the top 6. The biggest question for McLeod is his ability to score, but right now he is showing that he has no issue doing that after having a slow start to the season.
Dylan Holloway has been injured for a majority of the season, only playing 14 games so far this season, but in those 14 games, he has been noticeable. Which is more than what you can say for Brown. Holloway in 10 fewer games has the same amount of points, but his one point is a goal. Not to mention the majority of Holloway's minutes have not been with McDavid or Draisaitl.
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No matter who ends up taking the spot that was meant for Brown all they need to do is have success of any kind. If they can do more than get one point in 24 games it will end up being an upgrade.