Dont you think Oilers should keep Russel for 1 more year as he can play left or right side, just in case the other D are not quite ready. Or trade him at the trade deadline!

Considering that the pieces are Russel/PoolParty and Smith, I get why he went this route. Also, good pick in going with Merrill over Holdin. He showed a lot of improvement last year.

I think this is a really bad trade for Vegas though.
-This promotes Tuch to top 6 and doesn't guarantee Poolparty the minutes he wants so theres a chance he stays overseas.
-Vegas loses the that Marchy/Wild Bill/Smith top line that has been killer for them. No guarantee that Tuch meshes as well with them.
-Vegas does not need another left handed dman. The one right hander they have on the main roster is 37 and probably looking at being scratched a bit this year.

On the plus side they do get a 4C that gives Glass another year to cook in Chicago and Russel is a slight upgrade, just not major. I'm also not sold that the 1st is enough to make it worth it for Vegas.

I visualize things
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1406359