With free agency closing in, Russell says: ‘I’m an Oiler’
Veteran defenceman likes where he’s at, but ‘business side’ of game will decide
The question for the Edmonton Oilers heading into this summer is whether re-signing defenceman Kris Russell is an option or a priority.
The same question can also be asked of Russell regarding the Oilers: Will Edmonton be an option or priority when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1?
After agreeing on a one-year trial-run contract last summer, it’s clear that Russell and the Oilers are a great fit.
The 30-year-old blue-liner led the NHL with 213 blocked shots and led the Oilers in even-strength minutes played in a solid second pairing role with Andrej Sekera.
“I really enjoyed playing with Reggie,” Russell said. “I thought we communicated well. I thought we read off each other very well. It was a pleasure playing with a guy like that because he makes you better.”
Russell gave Edmonton much more than most observers expected he would when the Oilers signed him in the fall of 2016. He almost single-handedly destroyed the notion that NHL players can be judged by shot attempts on a spreadsheet, delivering a realtime game that further solidified a playoff-calibre blue-line.
He’s tough, smart, fearless and will do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of his net. But the rest of the league saw that too, and his options this summer will be considerably greater than they were last off-season when it took him until October to find a team.
If the Oilers aren’t looking for a different kind of player on that second pairing, would they be willing and able to compete with whatever offers come his way in July?
And to what extent would Russell be willing to accept a homeprovince discount?
Stay tuned.
But as of right now, Russell said he wants to stick around.
“They showed faith in me by going out and signing me,” he said after the Oilers’ exit meetings and locker cleanout on Friday.
“I love playing here. It’s a firstclass organization. They treat you very well. The group inside is great. I think this team obviously has a bright future. I wish we were still playing, but I think this team grew a lot.”
There is no question Russell played himself into a significantly stronger bargaining position during his year in the Alberta capital.
The question now is what he plans to do with it, or whether somebody else might give him a Godfather contract — an offer he can’t refuse.
“With the signing and all that stuff, I’ll let my agent deal with that,” said Russell, who made US$3.1 million this season.
“Obviously, I’d like to come back, but there is a business side to this and you never know what’s going to happen.”
Russell, who grew up in Carolina, Alta., a village west of Red Deer, would like to stay close to home. He also understands it takes two to make a deal, and even then the math sometimes gets in the way.
“(The Oilers) have to make decisions too, the brass here,” he said.
“But I’m an Oiler and I’m not going to look past that until I’m told otherwise or come July 1 maybe (if something else happens).
“I want to be here. I’m not worried about other teams — I want to be an Oiler. I enjoyed my time here extremely well. The fans and the people, it’s a great city to play in.”