So far this summer has been successful one for the Edmonton Oilers. They have brought in a couple highly sought after free agents line Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. Those two move will really help the team, as their cost vs what they can being is good because they aren't making that much and will both likely be in the teams top 6. While these signings along with a few others look good there is one signing that makes me wonder what the plan is.
Josh Brown Signs 3 Year Deal Worth $1 Million/Year
I understand that the Oilers lost a tall defenseman in Vinny Desharnais, but I don't really think Josh Brown is the answer. While I am pretty sure he has been brought in to be the 8th defenseman I just don't understand why they gave him $1 million when they likely could have gotten away with the league minimum. No offence to Brown, but I doubt that there was as huge line of team looking to bring him in.
Josh Brown signs a three-year deal with #oilers carrying a $1M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2024
While I have no issue with Brown, I don't quite understand why the Oilers signed him to that deal. The cap hit itself is a bit high, but then it is for 3 years which is just as strange. Brown has yet to play a full season in the NHL. In his 290 games played he has 11 goals and 23 assists and is a total -26. To his credit he has played on some bad teams. Most recently he played last season on the Arizona Coyotes, the team itself was a -18, but Brown himself was actually a +2 on that team.
Now I could be completely wrong about Josh Brown, but I would be surprised if we see him getting more than 20 games played with the Oilers this season. The only way he plays more than that is if there is an injury and he is forced play meaningful minutes. Asides from that if he is playing there are people not playing good enough.