Change the 3rd to a 5th and it’s a deal

he's still decent top 6 d. a verteran that contributes minutes, kills penalties, blocks shots and will still get around 15-20points. 5th would be for someone like marincin who is just a body to put on the ice. given that NJ allows a lot of shots on goal that could use a guy like russel to bring the number of SOG down and has value. Plus the oilers could get that 3rd if they really wanted to by retaining a bit of money in a trade with a weaker team

they probably have to retain a little salary

maybe but nothing significant. NJ has space and could use a veteran defensive dman and edmonton could use the space to appropriately pay bear to something better than a bridge contract or get a 3C that is cheaper than sheahan. i can see the oil getting alot of cap space in the next 2 years with russel moving out, dead space becoming available and neal being bought out after the 2020/21 season. i think in the 2021 offseason is where the oil can finally have the flexibility to move to contender status

I think a potential 3rd round pick who could end up hanging around through RFA would be more desirable than a guy who is going to be gone after a year. Throw in a 2nd here, a 3rd there, and you could get thin spots in your farm when you need to back fill. NJ doesn't have the luxury of being a premier FA destination.

4th

fine

At full salary, Russell would not get a 3rd.

On paper, this makes some sense, as NJD's best LD is Butcher, but they seem to have no intent to go for the Cup; once they are ready, Smith and Bahl will also be ready. Perhaps they could keep Russell after this as a 7th damn, though.