Oilers Admit Free Agent Signing Was a Mistake by Placing him on Waivers Before One Game
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The Edmonton Oilers made a number of great signings in free agency, but Josh Brown stood out as odd even on July 1.
The Oilers showed a major commitment to the 30 year old defenceman with a three year contract for $1M a year. With a contract of that term, the expectation is that the player can play NHL games. Brown even bought a house in Edmonton, but his preseason was so bad, he's heading to the Bakersfield Condors.
Every hockey fan can see, it's not a great sign to waiver a player before even one game after signing a three year contract. NHL insider Frank Seravalli said it may even have an effect on other free agents wanting to sign in Edmonton. However, the play on the ice speaks for itself, and Brown simply wasn't good enough to hang on a contending team.
In his 290 career games before signing with the Oilers, Brown has been ranked the third worst defenceman by xGF%. The analytics matched the eye test - it just wasn't great. Between Brown buying a house in Edmonton and admitting this contract was a mistake before game one, it was surely a double decision for the Oilers - but it's undoubtedly the right one. The Oilers will be a better team without Brown, and they can bury his entire salary in the minors. Not only that, but players need to make the team based on merit and not their contracts.
Hopefully Brown can find his game again in the AHL and be a reliable stand-in when injuries occur. For now, it seems Troy Stecher will get the first opportunity as the sixth defenceman, and Travis Dermott will likely sign a contract.
It's certainly tough to cut ties with a free agent signing before even one game, but the Oilers made the right decision on all accounts. Every roster spot will matter for a team making a push for the Stanley Cup, and to ice the best possible lineup every night.
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