Oilers are being praised for placing Josh Brown on waivers
It was recently announced that the Oilers placed a boat load of highly talented players on waivers, but one in particular has generated lots of attention.
Josh Brown was arguably one of the more controversial signings by the Edmonton Oilers over the summer. The team signed Brown to a 3 year deal worth $1 MM AAV per season, a huge overpayment to say the least.
The Oilers took a big gamble on bringing big Josh Brown, who's 6'5 frame was meant to replace the departed Vincent Desharnais. With that being said, Josh Brown performed so badly over the course of training camp, the Oilers sent him packing to Bakersfield (assuming he clears waivers)
According to Jonathan Willis, placing Josh Brown on waivers provides much needed relief for the Oilers in several areas. It improves the Oilers as a team, it boosts cap space, and emphasizes that performing at training camp actually matters.
Brown posted some downright abysmal possession numbers over the past two seasons in a Coyotes uniform, only controlling 39.7% of expected goals when on the ice at even strength. He does carry some special teams value, but even with receiving considerable time shorthanded, his low average ice time (14:45 last season) evidences how sparingly he's used at even strength. Many fans have been questioning his acquisition in the first place.
According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, 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.
