Connor Brown (Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/17ca62e0-0da6-4781-ac3a-e3ec6bb4f25e.jpeg] Connor Brown (Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Images) In their current playoff push, the Edmonton Oilers [http://thn.com/edmonton] have received contributions from throughout the lineup. But one player -- albeit a currently-injured player -- is someone the Buffalo Sabres [http://thn.com/buffalo] ought to be targeting when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. We're talking about Oilers right winger Connor Brown, who's been out of action since absorbing a huge hit from Dallas Stars [http://thn.com/dallas] defenseman Alex Petrovic in Game 3. But prior to that, Brown was one of Edmonton's best secondary scoring options, posting five goals and eight points in 14 playoff games this year. The 31-year-old doesn't appear on many highlight reels, but his grit and drive makes him one of the Oilers' more valuable components -- and he's doing it on the cheap, earning only $1-million this season [https://puckpedia.com/player/connor-brown]. With his terrific and timely play, Brown -- who generated 13 goals and 30 points in 82 regular-season games this year -- may be pricing himself out of Edmonton after this season concludes. Since the Toronto Maple Leafs [http://thn.com/toronto] drafted him 156th-overall in 2012, Brown has bounced around the NHL, playing for the Buds, Ottawa Senators [http://thn.com/ottawa], Washington Capitals [http://thn.com/washington] and Oilers. And in five of his nine seasons, Brown has posted at least 13 goals -- and in two seasons, he's put up at least 20 goals. So while he's not going to break the bank by any means, Brown has shown enough to get a healthy raise on a new contract this summer. "The Big Show" As a Toronto native, Brown might decide to play closer to home next year -- and that's where the Sabres should pounce. If Buffalo gave him the security of, say, a three-year contract around $2-millon per season, that might just be enough to convince Brown to play for the Sabres. We're not suggesting there's going to be a bidding war per se for Brown's services, but he's shown more than enough in this current post-season to deserve a serious bump in pay. Brown's experience, versatility and quiet leadership would serve the Sabres very well. Given that it's going to be difficult for Buffalo to attract high-end UFAs, putting their energy into wooing Brown is the type of move that could pay off for both the player and the team next season. And being part of an on-the-rise Sabres team might prove to be very appealing for Brown. Canucks' Upcoming Free Agent Should Be A Target For Sabres This Summer [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/964e1281-297c-4b3f-8dac-d4d60299a0c1.jpeg] Canucks' Upcoming Free Agent Should Be A Target For Sabres This Summer The <a href="http://thn.com/buffalo">Buffalo Sabres</a> have a lot of salary cap space to spend this summer -- and a <a href="http://thn.com/vancouver">Vancouver Canucks</a> star should be firmly in the sights of Sabres management. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/canucks-upcoming-free-agent-should-be-a-target-for-sabres-this-summer] He has been undervalued in the past, but Brown's rising profile in the current post-season means those days are coming to an end. He's earned the attention he's going to get on the open market at the end of the season, and he's exactly the type of role player Buffalo needs more of. Brown may ultimately decide to stay with the Oilers -- especially if they win the Stanley Cup this year -- but if he is looking to get paid, the Sabres should be pushing toward the front of the line and doing a hard sell on what relative riches and opportunity awaits him in Western New York. Role players bring their unique skill sets to teams, and Brown's above-average capabilities would look particularly good if he were in a Sabres uniform.
