In a remarkable twist, former Toronto Maple Leaf Connor Brown has found himself in the spotlight of the Stanley Cup Finals. During Game 5 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, Brown scored the opening goal, marking a pivotal moment in his career and the series.
Brown’s journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he started his NHL career alongside future stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Initially seen as part of the Maple Leafs’ young core, his potential was overshadowed by management missteps, particularly the costly signing of Nikita Zaitsev by then-GM Lou Lamoriello. To offload Zaitsev’s burdensome contract, the Leafs traded Brown to the Ottawa Senators, where he showed flashes of his scoring prowess with a 21-goal season.
Despite his promise, Brown’s tenure in Ottawa was short-lived, leading to a brief stint with the Washington Capitals. Last summer, he signed a seemingly budget-friendly $750,000 contract with the Oilers. However, this deal included a signing bonus that inflated his cap hit to $4 million, a hefty price for a player who had managed only four goals in his previous 75 games.
Throughout the regular season, Brown struggled to find the net, but his overall on-ice performance remained strong, consistently posting above 50% in key metrics. In the playoffs, his effectiveness dipped, reflected in a 40% expected goals (XG) rate. Nonetheless, he managed two goals and six points over 17 games, providing value in critical moments.
Brown’s crucial shorthanded goal in Game 5 epitomized his redemption arc. This pivotal score not only kept the Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes alive but also underscored Brown’s ability to rise to the occasion, transforming from a perceived cap burden to a playoff hero. His journey, marked by ups and downs, has culminated in a night where he exceeded all expectations, delivering a performance that Oilers fans will remember for years to come.
