“Toby Rieder will not be signed by the Edmonton Oilers at the end of this year. Toby Rieder was a player that other teams wanted. He came here for one year because he wanted to play with Leon Draisaitl who he plays with on the German National Team. He thought if he wasn’t playing with Leon, he’d be playing with Connor, he’d score 15 or 16 goals and instead of making two million he’d sign a four-year deal at three and a half million. Toby Rieder hasn’t scored a goal. Toby Rieder has missed so many breakaways. If Toby Rieder had scored 12-14 goals, we’d have probably made the playoffs.” - Bob Nicholson

Did he even play with either at any point of the season?

Vegas has cap issues. There is no way they have any interest in Russell. Zero. Less than zero.

Yes, but he's not coming back anyways

As mentioned above. Vegas has to rid themselves of like 10M of cap space to sign their UFA's/RFA's. There si no chance they go for this. That being said, Russel could easily be traded for minor pieces to numerous teams that may need to get closer to the cap floor (Ott).

I don't mind the Lucic/Kovy swap. But I highly doubt LA goes for it. I doubt Kovy would waive for Edmonton BUT... if her does...it would be sweet. Kovy may have a higher cap hit but has 2 less years on his contract and his NMC expires at the end of next season. Which means he does NOT need to be protected during the Seattle Expansion draft (which Lucic does). Kovy's last year also does't have any signing bonuses therefore can be bought out. Kovy could bring more skill and realistically play top 6 minutes... even though he is dreadfully slow. He was barely playing 3rd line minutes in LA, therefore he may be open to waiving his NMC to come to Edmonton if it gets him top six minutes. His start was very rocky in LA and who knows, would may be open to a "fresh start". That being said, the fact of the matter is, it all depends on LA and sweetening the pot enough to convince them the terrible Lucic contract is worth taking over. Maybe a 2nd round pick instead of a their would do it. Or else a D prospect.

Keep in mind LAs new coach is Lucics old coach from Edmonton Todd McClellan who loved Lucic. Kovy fell out of favour in LA and McClellan being there may just be enough for LA to pull the trigger and swap two underperforming players. Plus LA gets the draft pick as a sweatener and Lucic would most definitely bwaive his NT to go back to LA.