Oilers' Brown Looks To Finally Be Healthy Scratched

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be making a decision that should have been made much earlier in the season, healthy scratch Connor Brown. Frank Seravalli reported that at the Oilers practice in New Jersey, it appears Brown will be a healthy scratch Thursday night against the Devils.

At #Oilers practice in New Jersey, appears Connor Brown will be a healthy scratch on Thursday night against #njdevils.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 20, 2023

This is long overdue for the Oilers' so-called big free agent addition this past offseason. Not much was done to change their roster other than add Brown at a league minimum. This unfortunately also carried a $3.25 million bonus for him hitting 10 games. That has already been reached, but he has one assist and is a -10 in 23 games this season while spending a good chunk of time in the top-six alongside either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

This has been an ongoing problem for the Oilers. The team just can't seem to get scoring support outside of their top players. Brown was expected to help with some scoring as he's done in the past, but he just hasn't been able to generate anything. While he has been playing better recently, there's nothing to show for it. This move to sit Brown may have a positive impact.

The Oilers need goals and Brown isn't helping score them or assist on them, so it is the right decision to take him out of the lineup for the next game and see if he has a fire lit under him upon his return to the lineup.