Mrazek is getting a way better contract after the season he had

you acquired Stepan and then bought him out?

Oilers won’t be buying out anyone, they already have too much dead cap space. Russell isn’t a Norris candidate but he’s a serviceable nhl defenceman. It’s not his fault chirelli over paid him by a million bucks a year and that he needs to play on his offside. If you think buying him out will make them better it won’t.

2.5 million for 3 years for a goalie that's had one breakout season is a way better contract than he has now.

Easier to buy out Stepan than Lucic. Stepan only has 2 years remaining.

No one is taking on Russell's contract fully and I'd rather buy him out than retain money on his deal. Oilers have practically no dead money if you looked at it at all. Pouliot at just over 1 mill for this yr and next and gryba at 300,00. Buying out Russell and replacing him with a younger faster dman is in the Oilers better interest.