I find it interesting that for years we had a pathetic defense. Particularly at keeping pucks out of our net. Our top 4 was lucky to have 2 middle pairing type guys at anyone time.
Along comes Russell. Who I believe most clearly consider a legit top 4 defender that significantly helps reduce the amount of goals the Oilers let in.
Nurse is not ready for top 4 quality of competition and neither is Benning by most accounts.
Sekera is injured potentially through to January...
Leaving us 2 out of the 4 from the best defense the Oilers have had in ten years.
Russell can play his offside. Is a legit top 4 guy and especially under the circumstances is really needed.
Is he perfect, no. Do we all want something better, yes. Cap constraints, what is available, and what do we want to give up for something better... A very big moving target with few good landing spots.
You would hope Russell learned from trying to get a big payday and settles for less than 4 x 4. But really... what are legit options? Hope we build from within... Sign who? Trade what? I would prefer Russell not getting 4 x 4 but as long as it fits in with our cap, something Chiarelli is obviously most concerned with, you do it.
If Vegas doesn't take him, or any team really early July 1st, we most likely get him for a good deal. I would imagine the most we would pay him is 4 mill with a 2 or 3 year term. Overpaying him for a one year deal would suit the Oilers fine but I doubt Russell would accept that even at 5 mill. He should be able to get the same money at least as he did this year with 2+ years from someone. Which is better.
By whose accounts? Yours? Benning is more than ready for more minutes and played as such.
Sekera is not out until Jan, everyone step off the ledge. Its a 6 month injury that will keep him out till mid October. Jan would be 10 months which is longer than they already obtuse 9 month time table. GMs always give the way long end of spectrum for injuries. This type of injury takes 6 months as weve seen numerous players come back in that time
There is plenty of D able to do what Russell does. Russell is near the bottom end of the middle tier of UFA D. So many options to replace him and all have been beaten to death.
4 mil * 4 years borders on untradeable after next year. This is a dude who was playing for his life this year trying to get that last big deal (which hes never had). And this was the MAX well ever get out of him. This was his contract, pinnacle year. Anyone wanna bet what we get out of him next year or year after when he has his 4 mil and big contract?
Sure we have the space for 4 mil next juuuust barely, but year after? not so much, hes already a cap dump. And this isnt NHL 17 where you can just trade players easily, if Russell gets 4 years, no way Chia deals him after 1, hed look to Sekera *shudders* to deal. Then not to mention, if you get a UFA D for 3 mil (which you canif you are a good GM), then you have 1 million extra to use in trades or however you want