Ottawa Senators’ general manager Pierre Dorion could barely hide his elation at his Canada Day media availability when discussing the acquisition of forward Connor Brown in a multi-player swap with Maple Leafs.
“Of the four (ex-Maple Leafs) players we talked to today, I can tell you both D.J. (head coach D.J. Smith) and I can say that Connor Brown was probably the most excited to be here,” Dorion said at the time.
While it seems somewhat odd that a player would be excited about leaving a potential Stanley Cup contender for a club that finished 31st overall in league standings last season, Brown felt stifled in his role with the Maple Leafs.
Despite scoring 20 goals in his 2016-17 rookie campaign, the Toronto native saw his ice-time dwindle from 16:12 per game to 15:01 the following season, then to 13:48 in 2018-19. And his goal total dropped as well — Brown scored 14 in his second full year and just eight last season.
Brown told Sporting News that he relishes more playing time with his new team: “I don’t know if it’s a fresh start, so to speak – hopefully an expanded role, get that confidence back offensively.”
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With an offensively-laden lineup that included Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and the free-agent addition of John Tavares in July 2018, it was no surprise the 25-year slid down the Maple Leafs' depth chart. But in doing so, Brown rounded out his game, becoming a reliable bottom-six checking forward and penalty killer.
Currently finding himself on the right wing of the Senators’ top forward unit alongside Brady Tkachuk and center Colin White, the six-foot, 183-pound Brown will certainly get his wish of an expanded role in Ottawa.
In his Sept. 18 preseason debut, Brown led all Senators with a game-high 20:42 of playing time, which included stints on the power play and penalty kill. He also recaptured some of his offense, adding a goal and an assist.
Brown has a fan in his new head coach Smith, who had a first-hand view of his play in Toronto as an assistant with the Maple Leafs.
“He’s the conscience of the line, probably so far. He’s a guy that knows how to play, can track, he works, block shots. He does a bit of everything. I’d like him to get his offensive touch back. He had 20 goals a few years ago. We’d like to see him get back to that,” explained the Senators’ bench boss.
“I think part of it was how deep the (Leafs) team was last year, and how many good players were on that team. To his credit, he fit into the role he was given as a penalty killer and good checker. But on this team, we’re going to need him to provide more offense while continuing to do those other things. And I think that’s a big reason why we got him.”
Tkachuk, Brown’s preseason linemate, echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“I played against him a bunch last year," Tkachuk said. "He’s a great player. He always works hard to get the puck back. I hope we stay together through the preseason and regular season, too.”
Brown reciprocated his new teammate's assessment.
“I think we’re feeling each other out. We’ve played together in scrimmage. I think we’re getting better and better. We enjoy playing together, which is a big thing. It’s a good start," Brown said, adding that Tkachuk and White are "two really good players — highly skilled, competitive.”
One bonus for Brown is that he immediately felt a comfort level in joining his new team, especially after being acquired in the trade with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. The free agent signings of former Maple Leafs teammates Tyler Ennis and Ron Hainsey added even more familiarity to the group.
“I’m sure it’s a little odd. It’s comforting. You feel more relaxed when there are other guys coming over with you. It can be intimidating coming into a new dressing room, coming to a new team. They help make the transition a little easier,” Brown said.
Brown, who has never missed a game in his three full NHL seasons, isn't expected to reach the lofty heights of his 128-point 2014 OHL campaign, however another 20-goal year isn’t out of the question.
“At the end of the year, we knew had to do something. We inquired about Connor Brown,” Dorion said. “Our pro scouts felt, after the season he had in his rookie year, and our amateur scouts saw that he led the OHL in scoring, that he still hasn’t reached his offensive upside. He’s a key part in the deal for us.”