Former Maple Leaf Costs Oilers the Opportunity to Match Offer Sheets Thanks to Unique Contract Clause

The Oilers decided against matching offer-sheets to Broberg and Holloway this week and now both are members of the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers cited the financial flexibility as a reason for not matching, which is fair, given that they will likely be handing out two massive extensions to Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. However, the Oilers could have matched, at the very least, Holloway's offer sheet if it was not for a bonus clause in Connor Brown's contract.

Coming off of a severe knee injury, Brown signed a 1-year deal with the Oilers last off-season that carried a base salary of $775K. However, Brown's contract had a bonus clause in it that seemed wild and completely unnecessary. If Brown played 10 regular season games (he played 71), he would get a $3.25M bonus. Since the Oilers were cap-strapped last season, his bonus money automatically rolled over into this year's cap hit.

Of course, no one was expecting an offer-sheet, let alone two on the same team with how infrequent they are, but had the Oilers not awarded such a ridiculous bonus for 10 games played, they would have been able to match Holloway's $2.29M AAV. The bonus is no fault to Brown or his agent, but rather the mismanagement of Edmonton's cap by former GM Ken Holland.

Like Zach Hyman, Brown was a fan-favourite in Toronto and Leafs fans are happy to see him get paid and return from a potentially career-ending injury.

While the Oilers essentially replaced Holloway by acquiring Matthew Savoie from the Buffalo Sabres, their overall depth certainly took a hit and it could all be for nothing if Draisaitl chooses to sign elsewhere.

Source: PuckPedia
Edmonton Oilers Salary Cap Breakdown

Source: Hockey DB
Connor Brown Stats