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Cap issues mean you can have Russell or you can have Eberle, but it’s unlikely you can have both

With Edmonton Oilers stalwart d-man Andrej Sekera injured and out six-to-nine months, the talk now in Oilers insider circles is that Edmonton is much more likely to sign up defenceman Kris Russell.

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For example, Oilers announcer Bob Stauffer had this to say about Sekera’s injury to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector on Tuesday: “I think this clearly increases the probability that Kris Russell gets re-signed, would you not agree?”

“Yes, absolutely it does,” Spector said. “Sekera is one of your Top 4, and Russell is another piece of your Top 4, so it would be a real step back to lose two Top 4 defencemen off this roster.”

Jm Matheson of the Edmonton Journalhad this to say: “With Sekera’s injury, they absolutely need to re-sign him, but other teams saw how good he was in the playoffs and regular-season. Could the Oilers get it done for three years and US$3.75-million per season with a no-trade clause? They won’t pay more than the US$4.1-million Klefbom and Larsson each make.”