Devils 2025-26 Player Previews: Connor Brown

His impact was notable during the postseason as well. However, it was uncertain if he would be able to play in the Stanley Cup Final. He sustained an undisclosed injury during Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after being sent into the boards by Dallas Stars defenseman Alexander Petrovic. Despite missing Games 4 and 5, he returned for the Oilers’ final six playoff games, where his veteran experience proved beneficial. 

In the end, Brown tallied five goals and four assists in 20 postseason games, the highest amount of his career. Continuing his penalty kill dominance, he led all Oilers’ forwards in shorthanded ice time, adding an occasional spark by creating scoring chances off the rush. Another notable aspect of his playoff performance was his speed. He had 39 more speed bursts over 20 miles per hour than the average NHL forward, and ranked in the 89th percentile in top skating speed. Overall, Brown is both a reliable veteran and a valuable depth scorer, making an impact at both ends of the ice.

2025-26 Expectations

Devils fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Brown signed a four-year contract at the start of free agency. At long last, the team was addressing the one issue that had continuously plagued them last season: a lack of depth scoring. General manager Tom Fitzgerald did not acquire secondary scoring at the trade deadline, so Brown was the perfect offseason addition. Having a potential 30-point player is a huge improvement for their bottom-six. Along with fellow newcomer Evgenii Dadonov, the Devils will have offensive depth that packs a powerful punch.

Throughout his ten NHL seasons, Brown has made it to the playoffs five times, amassing 20 points in 59 postseason games. This experience will be invaluable as the Devils seek to become serious Stanley Cup contenders. Plus, his $3 million AAV is the perfect low-risk, high-reward, cap-friendly contract.

Despite donning black and red for only one preseason game so far, Brown made a great first impression. He scored his first Devils goal on a cross-ice feed from Ondrej Palat, giving the Devils a 3-1 lead in the second period against the New York Islanders. Brown’s chemistry with his new linemate was palpable, and the two instantly clicked. If they can continue to generate scoring chances together, it could help Palat find a permanent spot in the lineup—something that proved difficult last season. During his postgame interview, he shared that they were on the same level of understanding, clearing space and maintaining puck possession. “When you see the game similar to somebody, it makes it just that much easier to have a learning curve,” said Brown. Centered by Luke Glendening, the trio breathed new life into the third line, and this veteran combo could become another source of offensive depth.

Another area where Brown could have an impact is on the penalty kill. Last season, the Devils had the second-best penalty kill in the league, a statistic that can only improve by adding another veteran to the mix. Brown could force turnovers with his defensive positioning, especially on the forecheck. More importantly, he can ease some of the workload from the team’s top players, including Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. 

Brown has already given fans a glimpse into what he can contribute to the lineup, and his added scoring could be a deciding factor in the Devils making a deeper playoff run. He can bolster the third line while logging a high amount of shorthanded ice time, which makes him one of the team’s most valuable offseason additions.