New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Connor Brown – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The 2025-26 season did not go as planned for the New Jersey Devils. Instead of heading to the postseason for the second year in a row, the team faced numerous injuries and inconsistencies, resulting in a seventh-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. After going 42-37-3, the Devils need to give themselves a fighting chance for next season by acquiring depth scoring, extending the right players, and making choices that maximize their cap space. 

All season long, every player on the roster contributed one way or another, with some making a greater impact than others. Let’s take a look at Connor Brown, who established himself as a veteran depth scorer during his first season in New Jersey.

Brown’s 2025-26 Performance

Last July, the Devils signed Brown as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), agreeing to a four-year contract worth $12 million. At the time, the team needed experienced players who could benefit their secondary scoring and special teams, and Brown certainly fit the bill. But fans were in for a pleasant surprise when he finished fifth on the team in points, tying his previous career high of 43 points.

He began the season strong, with two goals in the second game of the season, propelling the Devils to a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. And during their subsequent eight-game win streak, Brown would contribute a total of six points.

Unfortunately, he would go on to miss seven games at the start of November, being placed on injured reserve (IR) for an undisclosed upper-body issue. And even though his point production stalled slightly between December and January, he still managed four goals and 13 points.

After the Olympic break, however, he was offensively dominant, which frequently earned him a spot on the Devils’ top lines. By the end of March, he tallied 15 points, including five on the power play. His ice time also gradually increased, and he averaged 19:31 per game by the end of April.

Brown’s talents also improved the Devils’ penalty kill, after playing a major role on the Edmonton Oilers’ top unit in 2024-25. He led the club’s forwards in shorthanded minutes per game this season (1:51) and excelled at disrupting plays to create turnovers. His speed also made him an offensive threat when down a man, resulting in two shorthanded goals for the Devils.

Brown’s Impact for the Devils

In terms of his impact, Brown provides something the Devils have spent the last few seasons trying to find: consistency. During the second half of the season, his point production paved the way for an attempted late-season comeback. And despite missing a few games due to injury, he still finished 2025-26 as one of their top scorers.

Likewise, his impact on the Devils’ special teams cannot be understated. Aside from his elite penalty killing, Brown was a significant contributor on the power play as well. This season, he was on the ice for 16 goals on the man advantage, along with 207 shot attempts, 144 scoring chances, and nine high-danger goals. 

Brown has also been outspoken in the Devils’ locker room, with a quiet sort of leadership and a deep belief in their current group. This mindset was present at exit interviews, where he shared his thoughts on the team’s future. “I signed here because I liked a lot of the makeup of this team…There’s just some little tweaks and some growth that needs to be done within the room, within the organization, to move in the right direction,” said Brown.

By embracing a bigger role, Brown has established himself as a crucial member of the Devils’ lineup. The 32-year-old has become a flexible, diverse player, which is how he ended the season on a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.

Brown’s Future With the Devils

Moving forward, the Devils need Brown to continue to be a high-speed, all-situations scorer. He’s already proven he can be a difference-maker, setting a career high in power-play goals (four) and earning his highest point-per-game pace since his 2021-22 season with the Ottawa Senators.

But his versatility is arguably his greatest quality. Brown earned head coach Sheldon Keefe’s trust this season by being able to play in the top or bottom six, and that reliability is expected to carry over into 2026-27. Overall, he proved to be a major asset, emerging as a top-six wing, a prominent veteran scorer, and one of the Devils’ best offseason acquisitions in recent years.

Brown’s $3 million cap hit is arguably one of the biggest steals on the Devils’ roster. Considering the NHL’s rising salary cap — and the numerous contracts to be negotiated this summer — having Brown locked in for the next three seasons is a deal that should age extremely well.

Overall Grade

Following a phenomenal first season with the Devils, Brown’s final grade for 2025-26 is an A. He showed early on that he could be a valuable depth scorer, which led to a greater special teams role, increased ice time, and even being promoted to the top line.

As the team seeks to make the playoffs on a consistent basis, Brown will be one of the key veteran players to help them get to that point. Whether he’s shaking up the bottom-six with his high-energy style of play or changing the momentum of a game with his defensive skills, Brown has become a highly respected member of the Devils’ organization.