Oilers extend veteran defenceman
Per TSN's Jason Gregor, the Edmonton Oilers have signed defenceman Kris Russell to a one-year extension that will run through the 2021-22 season. While the exact dollar amount remains unknown, Gregor said it is between $1-1.5 million.
Russell, 33, still has one season remaining on his four-year deal that will pay him $4 million this upcoming season. The longtime NHL defenceman played in 55 games with the Oilers this past season, chipping in with nine assists. He also suited up for all four of Edmonton's postseason games versus the Chicago Blackhawks, but was unable to get on the scoresheet.
While some may be questioning this signing given Russell's limitations, it makes perfect sense for both parties. As Gregor mentions, the deal allows the Oilers to leave Russell unprotected for the upcoming Seattle expansion draft. Given his veteran presence along with his cheap cap hit, it seems very likely Seattle would select him.
Russell has been with the Oilers since the 2016-17 season, when he was signed to a one-year deal in free agency and later given a four-year extension. While he doesn't provide much offence, he is a solid third pairing option who is among the league leaders in shot blocks every single season. He has played in 846 regular season games, posting 46 goals and 236 points, as well as 53 postseason games where he has put up 20 points.
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brandon Hagel | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Erik Cernak | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Alex DeBrincat | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Clayton Keller | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Hughes | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nikita Zadorov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jackson Blake | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Ryan McDonagh | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Andrei Svechnikov | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Paul Cotter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Josh Doan | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Duke | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Luke Hughes | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Patrick Kane | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brad Marchand | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 56 | 39 | 14 | 3 | 81 | |
Capitals | 54 | 36 | 11 | 7 | 79 | |
Oilers | 55 | 34 | 17 | 4 | 72 | |
Stars | 54 | 34 | 18 | 2 | 70 | |
Golden Knights | 55 | 32 | 17 | 6 | 70 | |
Panthers | 56 | 33 | 20 | 3 | 69 | |
Maple Leafs | 54 | 33 | 19 | 2 | 68 | |
Hurricanes | 55 | 32 | 19 | 4 | 68 | |
Wild | 55 | 32 | 19 | 4 | 68 | |
Avalanche | 57 | 33 | 22 | 2 | 68 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||