Quote:
Originally Posted by schteve_d
I like Russell more than most here it seems. Very serviceable defenceman if slotted in where he belongs: probably 3rd pairing D who can elevate his game for short periods when required. He did it for us and I really don't get the target painted on him.
Having said all that though, at 3.1M, no thank-you.
It's an overpayment but the Oilers had to do it. What were their options? And, it's only for a year. He is going to be asked to carry a heavier load than he is capable of in Edmonton though and will become a target there as well. Poor guy. I like him and I can already see him being set up to fail.
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If you don't think he's worth $3.1m, I am having a hard time reconciling the rest of your post with that fact. If Russell is 'average', $3.1m is a slight underpayment given that an average salary in a $74m cap is $3.2m or so. Seems to me that level of compensation is perfectly in line with his abilities if he is 'serviceable'. Probably one of the best UFA contracts signed recently actually. No term, and at an average salary for an average UFA is tremendous.