Edmonton Oilers in Talks to Extend Corey Perry and Connor Brown, Who Played Stanley Cup Final With a Fractured Toe

The end of a long and grueling Stanley Cup journey has not dulled the Edmonton Oilers’ determination to retain key pieces of their roster. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Oilers are actively working to extend veterans Corey Perry and Connor Brown. While the Cup didn’t come home to Edmonton, the Oilers clearly believe they have something worth preserving—and even building upon.

Pagnotta’s report also revealed a remarkable piece of information that adds yet another layer of respect to the Oilers’ playoff run: Connor Brown played through the Stanley Cup Final with a fractured toe. That type of injury may not garner the attention that comes with something more catastrophic, but any player who’s laced up skates knows just how brutal that kind of injury can be. For Brown to press forward at the highest level of hockey with a broken toe speaks volumes—not just about his pain tolerance, but about his commitment to this team and its ultimate goal.

Brown, 30, finished the postseason with a modest point total but consistently played with energy, intelligence, and that elusive trait called grit—something that doesn’t always appear in a box score but is essential in playoff hockey. After a regular season that saw him struggle to make a major impact, his elevated performance in the playoffs, despite playing hurt, made him a dark horse hero in the Oilers’ locker room. Teammates and coaches alike praised his perseverance and hockey sense, particularly in the conference finals, where he provided critical depth minutes.

The Oilers know what they have in Brown. He may not be a top-six forward, but he’s the kind of player who does all the little things right. Winning puck battles, killing penalties, forechecking relentlessly—those aren’t glamorous jobs, but they’re vital roles. And now that it’s been revealed he did all that with a fractured toe, there’s even more appreciation for the kind of player Edmonton has in him. It’s no wonder the organization is prioritizing his return.

Corey Perry, on the other hand, continues to defy time. At 39 years old, many figured he was done after a rough exit from the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the season. But when the Oilers signed him midseason, he quickly integrated himself into their structure, bringing his trademark edge, leadership, and playoff experience. Perry has now played for five different teams over the last five seasons, including four that made it to the Stanley Cup Final. That alone is a testament to the kind of presence he brings—he’s a glue guy, a veteran who understands the moment, and someone who elevates in the crucible of postseason hockey.

Perry may no longer be the 50-goal scorer he once was, but make no mistake, his influence was felt in the Oilers’ run. He was a stabilizing voice in the dressing room and a guy unafraid to mix it up, get under opponents’ skin, and swing momentum when it was needed. More importantly, he gave the Oilers’ bottom-six lines a sense of purpose and identity. His impact can’t be measured by goals and assists anymore—it’s measured in how teams rally, how they grind, and how they respond when they get punched in the mouth.

By seeking to extend both Perry and Brown, the Oilers are sending a clear message: they believe the core they have isn’t just built for one run—it’s sustainable. And that means keeping players who know how to win, how to fight through adversity, and how to lead. Edmonton doesn’t want to be a one-and-done story. They want to be back in the Final again next year—and better.

These possible extensions also signal something about the culture being built in Edmonton. This isn’t the same franchise that stumbled through much of the 2010s, wasting years of elite talent with little postseason reward. The 2025 Oilers were a well-rounded, resilient group. They took down elite teams, battled through injuries, and came within arm’s reach of hockey’s greatest prize. Now, rather than resetting or overreacting, GM Ken Holland and the front office seem poised to stay the course—making incremental improvements, yes, but also trusting what’s been built.

Of course, salary cap constraints make every offseason a game of chess. Perry and Brown won’t command massive contracts, but there’s still strategy involved in making sure every dollar is wisely spent. Both players are aware of their roles and realistic about their value, which could make negotiations smoother. Perry, especially, has made it clear in past stops that he’s willing to bet on himself and take lesser money to be part of a winner. Brown, too, likely understands that Edmonton is the perfect fit at this stage in his career.

For Connor Brown, this season was about redemption. After years of battling injuries and inconsistency, he came into this season with a lot to prove. At times, it felt like the experiment might not work out. But in the crucible of playoff hockey, Brown rediscovered the tenacity and discipline that made him a valuable asset earlier in his career. That he played through a fractured toe—one of the most physically limiting injuries for a skater—only enhances his legacy with this team. He didn’t just show up; he fought, blocked shots, took hits, and kept going.

The revelation of that injury offers insight into the sacrifices NHL players make during the postseason. Fans often don’t realize the sheer volume of pain these athletes endure to chase the Stanley Cup. It’s not just broken toes—it’s torn ligaments, separated shoulders, cracked ribs. But these stories often only surface after the final buzzer sounds. For Brown, that toe wasn’t an excuse—it was a battle scar, and one he clearly didn’t want to make public until the work was done.

For Perry, his value may be even more intangible. He’s a winner, plain and simple. And winners find a way to stay relevant. Whether he plays 10 minutes a night or serves as an emotional anchor on the bench, his presence is vital. That’s why teams like Tampa Bay, Montreal, Dallas, and now Edmonton have leaned on him when it mattered most. For the Oilers, re-signing Perry would be as much about leadership as it is about lineup depth.

There’s also the mentorship aspect. Young players in the Oilers system—guys like Dylan Holloway and Raphael Lavoie—benefit greatly from sharing a locker room with veterans like Perry and Brown. These are the kinds of players who teach by example, who can walk younger teammates through the mental and emotional chaos of a playoff run.

If Edmonton does find a way to extend both, it will likely be for one-year deals, possibly with incentives. These would be low-risk, high-reward moves. They provide continuity, toughness, and invaluable playoff experience. And for a team with championship aspirations, every ounce of that matters.

Looking ahead, the Oilers have decisions to make—not just about Perry and Brown, but about their goaltending situation, defensive depth, and whether they have the right mix up front. But what’s clear is this: they don’t want to mess too much with a good thing. This roster was two wins away from a Stanley Cup. The climb is steep, but not impossible. And with players like Perry and Brown showing what commitment looks like, the foundation is as solid as it’s ever been.

In the high-stakes world of NHL offseason maneuvering, sometimes the smartest moves are the ones that don’t make headlines. Extending Corey Perry and Connor Brown might not dominate talk shows or flood social media, but it sends a message to the locker room and the fanbase alike: this team is united, battle-tested, and ready to go again. With veterans like these in the fold, the Oilers aren’t just hoping for another deep run—they’re expecting it.