Once a minus-72 player who was constantly battling to improve, Connor Brown reached the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row as part of the Edmonton Oilers. But for the 2025–2026 season, Oilers fans won’t see him suiting up in blue and orange, as the New Jersey Devils have acquired Brown in a surprising offseason deal.

Though he couldn’t manage to bring the Cup home for the Oilers, Brown still secured a special place in fans’ hearts, having contributed nine crucial points to the Oilers’ playoff push. His relentless effort, team-first mentality, and locker-room presence didn’t go unnoticed. But now, as the 31-year-old winger is set to take his services to the New Jersey Devils, among those who’ll miss him dearly is none other than Connor McDavid’s wife, Lauren Kyle, who had grown close to Brown and his family during their time in Edmonton.

When Brown posted an emotional note on Instagram. He addressed fans, saying, “Thank you to the fans for two incredible years and unwavering support. Edmonton will always hold a very special place in our hearts ❤️ Ready for a new chapter and excited to be a @njdevils 👀😈” Commenting on the post, Lauren Kyle reminded him that he’ll be “Oil for life”, before posting “😭💙🧡” in a separate comment.

Connor McDavid and Connor Brown’s friendship traces all the way back to their Erie Otters Hockey Club days from 2012 to 2014. And while their reunion had its moments, the 31-year-old won’t be too upset with the deal that is taking him away from Edmonton.

Connor McDavid’s teammate has a lot to look forward to

Besides his offensive prowess, Connor Brown also brings decent defensive numbers to the table for New Jersey. He blocked as many as 37 shots last season—the second highest tally of his career so far—and was also quite dependable on the penalty kill, having recorded 13 takeaways over the past two seasons. Needless to say, he’ll bring some decent depth to the Devils’ penalty kill, which is already ranked second in the NHL. And his services will, of course, come in exchange for a decent pay bump, albeit it is not comparable to what his now former teammate Connor McDavid may receive.

He has signed a four-year, $12 million deal with the Devils, carrying a cap hit of $3 million per season. The contract includes a ‘no-trade’ clause until 2026, meaning through the end of the upcoming season. When compared to his time with the Oilers, where he earned a combined salary of $5,000,000, this seems like a decent upgrade that reflects a solid bounce-back in value and recognition of his veteran presence.

The New Jersey Devils wasted no time kicking off their offseason moves, parting ways with veteran forward Erik Haula. They traded him to the Nashville Predators, and in return, bolstered their defensive depth by acquiring Jeremy Hanzel. The move signals a shift in New Jersey’s strategy, aiming to infuse fresh talent on the back end while reshaping its roster. And now, they’re back in the headlines with the Connor Brown news. Fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting the upcoming season.