The Edmonton Oilers could pursue Connor McDavid's junior hockey teammate to bolster forward group

The Edmonton Oilers need to go bargain bin shopping this off-season. One of the most talked about names being linked to the Oilers is Washington Capitals forward Connor Brown.

Related: Oilers' Free Agent Targets: Maple Leafs' Schenn

Brown is coming off of a three-year $3.6-million cap hit contract. The 29-year old winger is more than likely looking for a new organization this summer. The lack of games played this past season can allow him to be signed to an inexpensive deal. He has produced at a good rate over his career and used to be teammates with Connor McDavid.

The Lost 2022-23 Season

Brown only played four games during the 2022-23 season due to injury. He was injured during an October 17th game against the Vancouver Canucks. On November 1st he had surgery to repair a torn ACL, and was placed on long-term injured reserve on November 2nd. 

Frank Seravalli explained on a Oilersnation Everyday podcast how this can help the Oilers. NHL players who have over 400 career games played, have missed more than 100 days on long-term injured reserve and are free agents can be considered an "over-35 contract". It means Brown could be signed for league minimum and have heavy performance bonuses that (if achieved) are applied to next year's salary cap.

Brown's Offensive Production

Brown did not record any points in the 2022-23 regular season. His most common linemates while playing were Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dylan Strome. Outside of the game he was injured in he was playing top six minutes: 19:28, 18:39, and 17:13 were his time on ice (TOI) during the three games he wasn't injured.

Related: Oilers' 2023 Free Agent Targets: Vladimir Tarasenko

Prior to his season with the Capitals he spent three years with the Ottawa Senators. He recorded 117 points in 191 games, and 47 of those points were goals. Over his time with the Senators he averaged 0.61 points per game. In 2021-22 he tallied 39 points, which would have had him ranked 5th among Oilers forwards behind McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman.

The McDavid Connection

Brown and McDavid played on a line together for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2013-14 season. The next season he would move on to play for the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. McDavid would play one more season with the Otters before beginning his NHL career.

Brown could be an incredibly effective addition for the Oilers top six. At minimum he can be a good source of secondary scoring, which is a great reason for the Oilers to pursue him.