As people have correctly pointed out, Wideman has a NMC which makes him hard to move.
Is there any chance we move Russell in order to make room for Franson? Russell's deal is very financially attractive and there is no trade protection.
He is a UFA in a year's time and as much as we love him, he does lack ideal size. With the addition of Hamilton, Gio and Brodie can play their natural left side. That would bump Russell down to the third pairing. Would he be as effective there as he was this season?
If we are set on Franson, we have to make room. Brodie, Gio and Hamilton aren't going anywhere, and if Wideman wants to stay, he can. So that only leaves Russell and Engelland. Engelland may not generate any interest, which leaves Russell as perhaps the odd man out.
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