Hard-luck Oilers winger Connor Brown opens up on season-long goal drought

“I don’t have a lack of confidence in my ability. It’s about finding the groove, finding the flow, trying to play free. It’s about the ability to read and react”

It’s black and white for Connor Brown when you’ve gone 45 games without a goal.

This is a man who hasn’t scored this season and is at more than 1,100 shifts since his most recent tally, against Boston Bruins March 24, 2022, if you’re keeping score.

Clearly, the Edmonton Oilers winger isn’t, but somebody came up with that sobering stat the other day — one more slap across the head after what seemed such a strong free-agent signing last July.

His struggles bring to mind those of long ago Oilers forward Jaroslav Pouzar, who when asked about his lack of goals pantomimed a sawing motion of both hands.

“Just cut them off,” he said.

Brown, who has played 493 NHL games, isn’t about to go that far.

But, you better believe this is wearing on him as the Oilers roll on — he had four shots on Jeremy Swayman in the 6-5 OT loss to Boston Wednesday and had a late third-period 2-on-1 that didn’t work out, his shoulders slumping.

So, while the Oilers are 20-4-0 over the past two months, he is stuck at zero goals with 29 games left.

“It’s been tough obviously … I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t coming here to make a difference,” said Brown, not ducking the issue or hiding from interviews.

After signing with the Oilers on July 1, 2023, with resounding hopes of bouncing back smartly from an Achilles tendon tear in the fourth game of Washington Capitals season in 2022-23, with a desire to be an offensive contributor on a team with his friend from junior, Connor McDavid, in search of a Stanley Cup ring, it has been a horror show for a guy who has had two 20-goal seasons.

His health wasn’t where he wanted it to be at the beginning of the season, certainly understandable after being out for a calendar year after the injury.

Everybody cut him slack with a slow start and, as he says “in practice, my hands and my feel, I feel good”, but it’s now February and he’s the only regular who hasn’t scored.

“I’ve been in this (not scoring) multiple times in my career. Obviously not to this extent, but I had them in Toronto and back to my minor-hockey days in Ottawa where I felt my game was working against me,” he said.

While he says “there’s an element of luck going on here,” Brown had a golden opportunity in the high slot in the second period on Swayman, but buried his head and almost looked like he was trying to wish the puck into the net.

This slump is looking a whole lot more mental than physical.

“For a month and half where we were winning games, I felt I was playing good hockey, on the penalty-kill and on the fourth line and contributing to a lot of wins. I think I’ve created a lot in that role. But I’ve had eight years in this league, 20 goals, once on pace for 30 (21 in a 56-game season),” he said.

“I take pride in scoring goals. I’ve been a scorer at every level for many years. I still have the same skill-set. I’m back to where I was. My quickness is there. I feel good, 16 months into the injury.

“I don’t have a lack of confidence in my ability. It’s about finding the groove, finding the flow, trying to play free. It’s about the ability to read and react.”

“This game can change at the drop of a hat with a little bit of confidence.”

Oilers winger Sam Gagner has gone through major ups and downs too, so he can empathize with Brown. Gagner had bad medical situations in the past (broken jaw, hip surgery) where he has had to bounce back. Also he was humbled and had to play games in the minors.

“We believe in Brownie and believe he’ll find his way out of this. I mean, he’s had 76 shots. Has anybody else done that (without a goal)?” Gagner said.

“Coming back from an injury, if it doesn’t go quite right out of the game, it affects your confidence. But Brownie’s been a model teammate through all of this, comes to the rink with a smile on his face. He’ll score an important goal for us. That’s our feeling,” Gagner added.

“You think about this (not scoring) constantly (as an athlete). That’s why we’re in the position we’re in. It’s a stressful job but it’s what we sign up for. He’s been great on the penalty-kill and defensively.”

Playing with Mattias Janmark on a fourth line, they had a stretch of 12 straight games without giving up an even-strength goal. His penalty-killing has been strong for the most part, although the team PK has tumbled (11 goals allowed in the past 24 attempts). He has rattled the iron several times. But he has just four assists and nothing has gone in.

Going into Wednesday’s game, he had played 55 minutes ES with McDavid. He has played 140 minutes five-on-five with Leon Draisaitl. He has played 135 on a third line with Ryan McLeod and Derek Ryan (89 minutes) on the fourth.

At $775,000 on the cap this year, the Oilers can live with that.

But the elephant in the room is that $3.25-million bonus on the books next season for playing at least 10 games this campaign, as we all know.

Athletes are bred to not let the outside noise get inside their head. But…

“Of course I’ve been tested this year. It’s been a huge test,” he said.

“You’re coming back from the injury and you’re in the big spotlight (here on a Cup contender). You come back from not playing for a year and you’re playing on the top line (McDavid). I believe I’ll be stronger from it.”

“I’m sure people have counted me out, but I believe I have the game in me.”

Coming in, he was expected to be a top-six right winger, or at worst third line. He was supposed to score big goals, get points, be a valuable playoff-type player.

Now? Maybe the Oilers are floating his name in trades because he hasn’t scored.

Does he think he might get traded?

“No sense worrying about things out of your control. That’s your guys’ (media) job,” said Brown, sloughing off the tough trade question.

“I understand. I think it would be a mistake if that (trade) happened.”