Connor Brown's Impact on Devils

0:00It's April 30th. This is NHL News Today, powered by AI, your team, your update. The New Jersey Devils had a tough 2025-2026 season, finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 42 win, 37 lost three overtime record, missing the playoffs again. But one bright spot was Connor Brown, who they signed last July to a 4-year $12 million deal. The 32-year-old forward tied his career high with 43 points, landing fifth on the team and scoring during his first year in Jersey. Brown hit the ground running, notching two goals early and six points in an 8-game win streak. He missed seven games in November with an upper body injury, but bounced back strong after the Olympic break, racking up 15 points by late March. Including five on the power play, and averaging nearly 20 minutes a night. His impact went beyond goals, boosting the penalty kill with his speed and two short-handed tallies, while shining on the power play too, on Ice 4, 16-man-adventaged goals.

1:01In the locker room, he's brought steady leadership, pushing the young core to tweak and grow for better results. Looking ahead, Brown's $3 million cap hit looks like a steal with the salary cap rising and key contracts looming this summer. His versatility from top six to bottom six wings earned coach Sheldon Keefe's trust, making him a top off-season pick-up. As the devil's chase playoff consistency, Brown steps up as that reliable veteran score in all situations player, setting the tone for stronger. 20-26-2027 push.