A quick blog today as it was announced Monday morning that the Oilers had extended forward Patrick Russell to a one year deal worth $700,000.
The 27 year old right winger played 45 games for Edmonton this season, going 0-5-5 through that time and is still waiting to produce his first goal in the NHL. There is always a need for depth in an organization but what makes this deal strange is the fact that it is a one way deal.
There is very little else to say about Patrick Russell. He averaged some of the fewest minutes on the team, occasionally made an appearance on the PK and doesn't have any other fancy stats that can be hyped up at all. Russell is a player who never seems to be doing anything wrong on the ice but he certainly cannot be pointed out as a difference maker on any shift.
For some reason Tippett clearly seems to like him and earlier in the year there were rumours that Holland did not want to send him down because they were worried someone else may claim him. With the number of other fringe NHLers out there in every organization I just don't see any teams chomping at the bit for a guy like Russell.
It may just be a depth move but this is another $700,000 of space that is not going towards a third line centre, a top six forward, or to the goaltending. Ken Holland has limited cap space and the team needs to make the most of it this summer.
Thanks for reading.