NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Toward the end of the preseason, it appeared as though Connor Brown was regaining his form after missing 11 months with a torn ACL suffered just four games into his only season with the Washington Capitals.
The preseason and the regular season are quite different, of course.
So, how has Brown, the Edmonton Oilers’ only marquee offseason signing, found the adjustment to games that count in the standings after the long layoff?
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“The best way to describe it is when Ricky Bobby came back from when he was on fire, and everything was going on so fast (around him). He was going 26 miles per hour, and he thought he was going 200,” Brown said, laughing, referring to Will Ferrell’s title character in the 2006 NASCAR-spoof comedy movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
Brown made the comment partially in jest. He knows he’s not that far off from being in the thick of the action.
He’s trying to be positive and realistic, refusing to get too discouraged because there are dozens upon dozens of race laps ahead. It’s only the middle of October, after all.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a bit of disappointment with how the right winger has started his first campaign with his new team.
“I know I have a lot more to give. I haven’t even scratched the surface of my game,” Brown said. “But I know it’s going to come. I’ve got to be honest with myself. I haven’t played in a long time. There’s an adjustment of time and space and where I want to get the puck — little things like that.”
Brown said his feel for the game is the biggest thing that’s missing right now.
“Sometimes you’re playing shinny, you can get your instincts going in the summer, but then there starts to get a little more contact. You get a little less time and space, and you’ve got to readjust your instincts and your timing,” he said. “That’s something I haven’t had in a bit.
“My skills and everything feel great. It’s just a matter of time before it starts clicking.”
Brown has been held without a point in his first three games as an Oiler, but there are early encouraging signs and strong small sample results.
Per Natural Stat Trick, the Oilers have outshot the opposition 24-12 and out-attempted them 47-20 at five-on-five in 39 minutes with Brown on the ice. Brown also has a 56 percent expected goals percentage.
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The only downside is being outscored 3-0.
“In my young career, I would have two bad games and I’ve always held myself accountable,” the 29-year-old said. “I’ve played not even close to my capabilities. In years past, you get frustrated. But I’m not frustrated.”
The Oilers held an optional practice in Philadelphia on Wednesday and five players took part.
That came after Tuesday’s 6-1 win in Nashville, where Brown was bumped down the lineup, away from Connor McDavid and Evander Kane to a trio with Dylan Holloway and Ryan McLeod. Brown has welcomed the change and is excited about playing with his new linemates for a few reasons.
The first two of which come down to role and age. Brown has played on the third line a lot in his career, which includes stops in Toronto and Ottawa. There’s some comfort there.
Skating with some younger players, while taking 27-year-old Warren Foegele’s spot with the group, also has its perks.
“I love playing (on the third line). I’ve always loved it,” Brown said. “It’s such an important line in hockey when it comes to wins and losses. A lot of the time your power play and your penalty kill are important — and the depth of your club is important.
“We were laughing, calling ourselves, ‘the Kid Line’ — me, Holloway and McLeod. They (teammates) were saying, ‘How did your line get older, but you’re now “the Kid Line?”’”
Brown even looked a little younger during the game compared to the morning skate because he shaved his beard at the rink after he arrived at the rink in Nashville.
The line shuffle could be a way to get Brown going offensively, too.
He feels that he’s more of a digger when he’s with McDavid and Kane. He has the potential to be more of a scorer with Holloway and McLeod.
Perhaps Brown as Ricky Bobby can do a little Shake ’n Bake with either Holloway or McLeod as one of them acts as Cal Naughton Jr. to slingshot him to more Grade A offensive chances.
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“Maybe have the puck on my stick and drive play with the puck on my stick a little more, which, when I’m playing my best, I’m playing like that,” Brown said. “Whether I’m changing my game, I’m just trying to find my own game. I haven’t played in a long time.”
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said the possibility of Brown having more puck touches was something he’d be interested to watch.
However, the most important thing is giving Brown the requisite leeway to get up to full speed.
“He’s finding himself, but the good news is he feels good,” Woodcroft said. “That is a major injury he’s recovering from, and we’re prepared to be patient.
“It’s going to take him a little time to feel normal, get his hands and timing where he wants them to be. But he should feel good that he feels healthy and that his coaches and his teammates all have patience.”
The Oilers have time, and they’re going to use it. Same goes for Brown.
It’s not like there isn’t a burning desire to get some tangible results, though — notably on the scoresheet. Brown has been poring through old games of his that he likes. Naturally, there’s an emphasis on “old.”
“You’ve got to go back two years. When you put it into perspective like that, it’s a long time off of adjusting to what it’s like,” Brown said. “But my skills feel great. My skating feels great. My jump scores and my gym strength are great.”
Brown isn’t sure when the time will come that his perception will match reality and his speed will mirror that of the action around him.
Spoiler alert: Ricky Bobby eventually figured it out. Brown’s sure he will, too.
“It’s just a mental adjustment, but it’s going to come,” he said. “I haven’t played in a year and a half, really. It’s completely to be expected. I’m just being patient. But I feel great in practice. That’s when I know it’s just a matter of time. It’s just a mental switch.”
(Photo: Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)