Three on Zero seems to be making multiple arguments, honestly...
There's this...
None of those are on a Pietrangelo, Tavares... etc level all mid tier
And this...
Mike Green and Cody Franson were both higher ranked UFA D that year
By argument 1, there's a big name free agent actually available, say, every 3-4 years... and there are only like 6 or 7 desirable UFA destinations
Argument 2 is just odd. By that logic, a guy like Barrie is one of the more desirable FAs this offseason. Cody Franson was always known as a dubious defender, and wasn't picked up until late that summer. I mean, you can make an argument for an offensive defenseman bringing value in the right role to the right team, but you certainly can't argue he was an objectively more attractive FA target
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Anyways, this is a nice signing by the Oilers. Russell is a competent defender, who's versatile enough to play either side and higher in the rotation if necessary. I doubt Seattle claims him, but he's cheap depth that Edmonton could move if they want to clear space for their younger D (or even bury him, but I don't see it coming to that)