Significant Turn of Events in Connor Brown Talks with Oilers

Early this week, there were reports that the Edmonton Oilers and unrestricted free agent Connor Brown were in discussions on a multi-year extension that would keep the fan favourite in Oil Town for four more years. But in a significant turn of events, it now appears that Brown will be taking his talents to the open market on July 1.

Looks like Connor Brown will go UFA.
Team likes the player and vice versa. But Brown will have to test the market to get his value.
— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) June 27, 2025

Mark Spector of Sportsnet is reporting that Brown "will have to test the market to get his value". TSN's Ryan Rishaug is echoing that expectation.

The thought is that Brown, after signing two consecutive one-year 'show me' deals with Edmonton (first at the minimum $775K, then at $1M this past year), is now looking to cash in. AFP Analytics projects him as landing a three-year deal with a $2.9 million AAV, though the Oilers' latest offer doesn't come close to that (much closer to the $2M AAV range).

Oilers' Connor Brown will hit free agency July 1 looking for bigger offer

As noted by David Staples in the Edmonton Journal, "One would hope that Brown and the Oilers can figure it out, but it’s likely he’ll get a much more lucrative offer in another city." As a third-line winger with considerable speed, and excellent on the penalty-kill, there will be a good market for him.

In his first year with Edmonton, coming back from knee surgery, Brown was the hard-luck kid, at one point going 54 games without a goal. But, as Staples notes, "Brown never gave up, worked like a sled dog, and won over the fans."

He was a solid contributor throughout most of the playoffs this season, and finished with five goals and nine points in 20 games.