Oilers Eyeing Brown for Toughness
Edmonton Oilers Consider Josh Brown for 2026-27 Roster, Aiming to Add Physicality
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Josh Brown, a largely forgotten figure in the Edmonton Oilers organization, may finally get his shot at an NHL roster spot. Edmonton insider Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now has suggested Brown has a real chance at cracking the 2026-27 Oilers lineup as the team's seventh defenceman, according to Edmonton Journal.
The opportunity comes after the Oilers traded away Darnell Nurse, losing some of the toughness and physicality that defined their blue line. With the NHL trending toward more aggressive, physical play, the Oilers are now looking for players who can fill that void, according to Edmonton Sun.
Darnell Nurse Trade Opens Door for Brown
When the Oilers traded Darnell Nurse, they got Brown in return. Nurse was one of the team's toughest, most physical defenders. His departure left a clear gap in the lineup. Brown, while considered a marginal NHL player, now steps into that conversation, according to Ottawa Sun.
Stauffer described Brown as a potential number 7 defenceman on the roster. Competing for the sixth and seventh spots are Ty Emberson and Shakir Mukhamadullin. Spencer Stastney is currently slotted eighth on the depth chart, according to Shoreline Beacon.
Brown's History With Coach D.J. Smith Matters
One key factor working in Brown's favor is his relationship with new Oilers associate coach D.J. Smith. Brown played for Smith before, which gives him a built-in edge. Coaches tend to trust players they already know, according to Fort Saskatchewan Record.
Brown has a reputation as a tough, hard-nosed player. That reputation now carries real value in Edmonton. The team wants players who are willing to be physical and protect their teammates, according to Chatham Daily News.
NHL Shifting Toward Size and Aggression Again
The broader NHL landscape is changing. There are growing concerns across the league about a return to more physical, aggressive play. Teams without size and toughness on the back end could find themselves at a disadvantage, according to Whitecourt Star.
Edmonton has taken notice. The Oilers want a blue line that can push back when challenged. Brown, despite being on the fringes of the league, fits that mold. His chance at a roster spot is no longer just a long shot, according to Owensound Sun Times.
Brown's Path to the Opening Night Roster
Brown will need a strong training camp to lock down a spot. The competition is real. Emberson and Mukhamadullin are both younger and have more upside as offensive contributors. Brown's value is almost entirely tied to his toughness and physicality, according to PR Record Gazette.
Stauffer's comments signal that the Oilers are at least taking Brown seriously heading into next season. For a player who has spent much of his career on the outside looking in, that alone counts as a significant development, according to Edmonton Journal.
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