Could also be for Sekera and not Russell, which would clear out still more cap room for the Oilers, although Sekera might actually help them more *if* he stays healthy.

I'd like it if it was Lucic, Sekera, Manning, Pulju and the 8th overall for Lehkonen and a second

nobody wants your scrubs for our good players even if you make it a cap dump. if you want puljujarvi you're gonna pay for him

I honestly don't think this is a bad deal for either party, if EDM is considering free agency help (as they should). They need to clear cap to do anything, or they're stuck in a standstill.

Using a serious question mark chip with upside as payment makes sense. What they get in return isn't what the deal is about. They're players with low probability of panning out as planned.

The thing is, EDM only needs this cap space if they have someone to use it on. if they don't get anyone that can truly help the team now, than they're just wasting Poolparty for pretty much nothing. A trade like this could only happen in late late June or after July 1st and it would mean they have a player they're ready to sign but need to make some cap room quickly in order to fit.

I think its important to note though Habs fans, Russell is by no means a good dman anymore but he is still an NHL'er. He can step into anyone's lineup and give them good bottom 6 minutes. There may not be a ton of interest but there are some GM's who would throw a late'ish pick at EDM for Russell. Manning as bad as he is, has only 1 year left at a low cap hit. He's not really a cap dump. They could just bury him in the minors and only have 900K of cap so its really no that bad.

I think a more modest return would be draft picks instead of Poolparty in this deal. Kind of like Reilly and Hudon (or it could be other players) for Russell, Manning + 2nd 2020 + 4th 2019. Habs lose only players who don't fit their roster anymore plus get draft picks. EDM get projects who may make their roster and tons of cap space to sign a UFA at the cost of a couple draft picks.

In either case, this only happens if EDM needs the cap because they want to sign someone they don;t have the cap currently for.

Completely agree, this is ONLY possible if Edmonton truly feels they can and will spend $$$ on players for this upcoming season. That and the new GM may also want to change up the whole culture of the org. and make some lateral moves too. Actually, maybe getting some draft picks could be a better option, a surplus of picks could be packaged up in a 2nd deal to get help on LD.