Former Leaf on the cusp of being waived by his new team

For Connor Brown, if/when he plays his tenth game, it will be one of great significance. After missing nearly all of last year with an injury, playing only four games with the Washington Capitals, Brown signed a one-year deal for only $775K with the Oilers. The importance of the tenth game, however, is that it brings a $3.25M bonus to Brown.

The Oilers have started the season as a great disappointment, with a horrific record of 2-7-1. Brown hasn't provided much of anything, recording no points and a -5 rating in his nine games. Now, the Oilers have a choice to continue to play Brown and pay him his bonus owed, keep him in the press box as an extra forward or send him to the minors and through waivers to avoid paying the bonus.

It's a tough situation for both the organization and the player, as a slow start should've been expected after Brown was so limited last year. However, his start has been so discouraging that paying him a significant bonus on a cap-tight, contending team would likely not be worth it.


Brown is now 29 years old and was drafted by the Leafs in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL draft. He began his career with the Marlies, and broke out with the Leafs as a hometown success story with 20 goals in the 2016-17 season. If Brown is waived by the Oilers, it could be tough for him to have a resurgence in his NHL career, as it would be unlikely a team would claim him with a high potential price tag attached.