Proposal: Oilers busy off season!!

[Jared Dunn]

Would love to live in OP's world where everyone gets along and does each other favours but unfortunately here we are

That being said I feel like Edmonton can do better for Larsson than that Winnipeg deal

 

[Guitpik]

Of course it is speculative. This whole board is about speculation. But what does this actually mean? Are you saying that there is no room in the inn for a cheap highly respected vet because Blake only wants ELC's on the roster. The Kings have one defenseman with over 100 NHL games signed for next year and that is Doughty. You will probably need at least 8 defensemen, possibly as many as 10 to get through the season when you factor in injuries. Is the plan to run Doughty and 8 essentially rookie defensemen?? Sounds like a solid plan if your goal is to destroy any confidence your young defensemen might have.

I am not saying Russell to LA is likely to happen, just that there are reasons why it could. People are far too focused on cap hits. While they are important and for some teams a significant issue, this year actually money spent is likely far more significant than in the past. And while Russell's cap hit is a negative his actual salary is a plus. Despite all of hyperbole he is still a legitimate NHL defenseman who adds a veteran presence, is capable of playing on both sides and who is very well respected in hockey circles. Moreover, he's the type of guy you can flip at the deadline for a 4th r 5th rounder. The Oilers won't be giving up anything significant to move him.

What I was stating as speculative was assuming McClellan would jump at the chance to acquire Russell based on the fact that he was one of the many players he coached in the past. All this while completely disregarding the current direction of the team, or the fact that Rob Blake will have a HUGE say in the player that HE will trade for. For reference ask Mike Futa and Mike Stothers about Blake's determination to his plan. The Kings would be more likely to either resign one of their own FAs, or sign an UFA to s bridge deal without trading assets.

 

[CaptainCrunch67]

Flames let Russell walk for a reason, doubt they would want him back, especially at an inflated AAV like that.


This seems pretty bad for Columbus.

With his salary and his play, Russell would be a bottom pairing defenseman at best depending on what the Flames do. He wouldn't be interesting at all. We dumped Russell for a reason and he's not any better now.

 

[Fourier]

What I was stating as speculative was assuming McClellan would jump at the chance to acquire Russell based on the fact that he was one of the many players he coached in the past. All this while completely disregarding the current direction of the team, or the fact that Rob Blake will have a HUGE say in the player that HE will trade for. For reference ask Mike Futa and Mike Stothers about Blake's determination to his plan. The Kings would be more likely to either resign one of their own FAs, or sign an UFA to s bridge deal without trading assets.

There is a difference between trading assets and asking for significant sweeteners. The cost for Russell might be a 6th or 7th round pick in 2022 if the Oilers need to move him or something very close to 0. The Kings may be able to get even more than this back for him at the deadline for an over all net gain.

The two UFA defensemen that the Kings have are Ben Hutton and Joakim Ryan. Hutton cost them $1.5M to sign on a show me deal last year which is exactly what Russell's actual salary will be. Before that he was making $2.8M. Russell is a much better defenseman. Ryan, is a fringe NHL'er at best. On the UFA market $1.5M gets you vets who are barely able to stay in the League. You are looking at guys like Kevin Connauton or Mark Barberio.

 

[Guitpik]

There is a difference between trading assets and asking for significant sweeteners. The cost for Russell might be a 6th or 7th round pick in 2022 if the Oilers need to move him or something very close to 0. The Kings may be able to get even more than this back for him at the deadline for an over all net gain.

The two UFA defensemen that the Kings have are Ben Hutton and Joakim Ryan. Hutton cost them $1.5M to sign on a show me deal last year which is exactly what Russell's actual salary will be. Before that he was making $2.8M. Russell is a much better defenseman. Ryan, is a fringe NHL'er at best. On the UFA market $1.5M gets you vets who are barely able to stay in the League. You are looking at guys like Kevin Connauton or Mark Barberio.

You really seem to like Russell. The Oilers should keep him, he's great! Or, you can persue a trade elsewhere (but apparently not with the Flames). The Kings aren't going to burn a contract spot for Russell. It's not going to happen.

 

[HolyGhost]

Still moot when team is taking the worse playet

 

[Fourier]

Why would a GM not weaponize their capspace and ask for a sweetener on Russell? It makes zero sense. There won't be a demand for Russell. Any team that is asked to take him on will request a sweetener. All teams have cheaper options to play on their bottom pairings, including young developing dmen. One year of Russell on the bottom pairing does nothing for a team. Its just wasted cap.

There will be a few situations where a team will be desperate to move cap and may be willing to pay a fair bit. Last year the Leafs were in a complete pickle and had to give up a ton to move Marleau. But that was a pretty unusual situation. Given the tight cap this year we may see a few such deals but not nearly as many as people might think. After that teams need to fill out their rosters. And this year doing so with as little salary on the books as possible might be a much more significant desire than in the past.

Teams like veteran defenders to work with their kids. That's why a guy like Hainsey can get $3.5M on a one year deal to play for the Sens. Dallas gave Sekera $1.5M even though his legs were gone. They also re-upped Polak for $1.75M. Other free agent signings...Jordie Benn got 2 years @ $2M. Mike Reilly got 2 years @ $1.5M, Gunnarsson got two years @ $1.75M.

 

[Fourier]

You really seem to like Russell. The Oilers should keep him, he's great! Or, you can persue a trade elsewhere (but apparently not with the Flames). The Kings aren't going to burn a contract spot for Russell. It's not going to happen.

I actually think Russell is useful. If the Oilers do not need to move him they probably won't. Cap space for the sake of cap space has no value. I think Oiler fans know that as well as anyone.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

There will be a few situations where a team will be desperate to move cap and may be willing to pay a fair bit. Last year the Leafs were in a complete pickle and had to give up a ton to move Marleau. But that was a pretty unusual situation. Given the tight cap this year we may see a few such deals but not nearly as many as people might think. After that teams need to fill out their rosters. And this year doing so with as little salary on the books as possible might be a much more significant desire than in the past.

Teams like veteran defenders to work with their kids. That's why a guy like Hainsey can get $3.5M on a one year deal to play for the Sens. Dallas gave Sekera $1.5M even though his legs were gone. They also re-upped Polak for $1.75M. Other free agent signings...Jordie Benn got 2 years @ $2M. Mike Reilly got 2 years @ $1.5M, Gunnarsson got two years @ $1.75M.

None of the aforementioned players have a caphit of 4M. GMs will be looking to tax the Oilers for taking that caphit on irrespective of whether they are interested in Russell. Why wouldn't a GM ask for a sweetener in a Russell trade? Any team looking for a veteran bottom pairing dman will have no problem doing so this offseason.

 

[TFHockey]

I actually think Russell is useful. If the Oilers do not need to move him they probably won't. Cap space for the sake of cap space has no value. I think Oiler fans know that as well as anyone.

Well, at the very least the Oilers aren't going to deal a 1st to get rid of a one year contract.