DJ Smith to ott. 1 less name to prevent a same old name coaching in Oil town next year. Not that I wanted him, but anything but the same old cycle.
- wreckage

Roy to the Oilers
Just for the BOA

Lol Kris Russell... the only defensemen who has been consistently “good” (not great)... shouldn’t be #2. He’s really the only stabilizing factor back there between Klefboms problems with durability, Sekera’s LTIR, Larsson’s nearly absent confidence level, and Nurses negligence in actually playing defence.

He has been the steady back there. I don’t mind his contract for that reason (if it were 1M less, I’m sure we all wouldn’t be having this chat).

People like to hate Russell because he isn’t a sexy player.

Mob mentality and the drum beating at Oilersnation has really not done him any service.

Can we agree that it’s not Kris Russel and it’s the poor salary management done by Chia for these signings.

Lol Kris Russell... the only defensemen who has been consistently “good” (not great)... shouldn’t be #2. He’s really the only stabilizing factor back there between Klefboms problems with durability, Sekera’s LTIR, Larsson’s nearly absent confidence level, and Nurses negligence in actually playing defence.

He has been the steady back there. I don’t mind his contract for that reason (if it were 1M less, I’m sure we all wouldn’t be having this chat).

People like to hate Russell because he isn’t a sexy player.

Mob mentality and the drum beating at Oilersnation has really not done him any service.

Can we agree that it’s not Kris Russel and it’s the poor salary management done by Chia for these signings.
- Eersel

Kris Russell sucks.

Well it looks like we got Nygård

Well it looks like we got Nygård
- RatedR80

- EdmHockeyMan

Swedish fans are already wanting to see him with McDavid if the word on his speed is correct he could certainly keep up but I highly doubt he starts the season on the first line

Scouting report from guys in Sweden. "Nygard is very fast and a dogged worker. Smart player, get up and down the ice. Don't expect big points in NHL. Also can kill penalties."

The only one you can even argue was brought in to play with McDavid is Lucic.
- Lemmewinks

I think the McDavid effect goes beyond who will play with him. It's the draw of playing on the same team as a generational talent. Special things tend to follow special players and rarely has there been a player more special than McDavid (Lucic comes close if you use the other definition of 'special').

Scouting report from guys in Sweden. "Nygard is very fast and a dogged worker. Smart player, get up and down the ice. Don't expect big points in NHL. Also can kill penalties."
- RatedR80

I can see him being along the lines of Hagelin based off that description. Never seen him play, though.

Likely just another Rieder for half the price.

I can see him being along the lines of Hagelin based off that description. Never seen him play, though.
- MaximumBone

Never seen him play either but sounds like an excellent 3rd line option....I’ll take any victory I can get with this team these days....unless they fix the top 6 tho it won’t matter

Lol Kris Russell... the only defensemen who has been consistently “good” (not great)... shouldn’t be #2. He’s really the only stabilizing factor back there between Klefboms problems with durability, Sekera’s LTIR, Larsson’s nearly absent confidence level, and Nurses negligence in actually playing defence.

He has been the steady back there. I don’t mind his contract for that reason (if it were 1M less, I’m sure we all wouldn’t be having this chat).

People like to hate Russell because he isn’t a sexy player.

Mob mentality and the drum beating at Oilersnation has really not done him any service.

Can we agree that it’s not Kris Russel and it’s the poor salary management done by Chia for these signings.
- Eersel

If Klefbom has durability issues then so does Russell. In 3 years Russell has played a whopping 9 more games than Klefbom. 9.