correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Hjalmarsson lose a step from his 2013 self?

Coyotes decline

OTT decline

I mean the fact I used Ottawa is irrelevant. Choose any of the other 29 teams

Tell me why. Both 1 year left until UFA. You guys don't have a 1st this year or next, and no 2nd next. Are you re signing an aging Hjalmarsson? And you already have Kuemper. Samarukov is a solid prospect also.

Because the Coyotes don’t have interest in Russell, and Samarukov is a B- defensive prospect, which the Coyotes have plenty of in their system right now. Adding in the protections on the draft pick ensure that they don’t do this trade.

Besides I don’t think they’re interested in trading Hammer. They’d rather trade Demers, Goligoski, and Oesterle before they’d get rid of him.

I understand if you don't think the trade works. But I don't really agree with your points. Samarukov is much better than a B- prospect. He's the Oilers 3rd best D prospect behind Bouchard and Broberg who are both A prospects. Russel wouldn't be a long term player obviously. But he plays the same position and the salary makes it work. Goligoski might garner interest but the other two won't bring you much back. I highly doubt the Coyotes re sign Hjal. And a deadline move would bring you much less than here. I honestly believe this is a slight overpay for the Oilers trading two good future assets in exchange for two guys with 1 year left before they can walk. But you have to give to get.

After a bit more research you’re probably right about Samukarov. But again organizationally the Coyotes have plenty of good D prospects and are looking for offense. I think that the only way this trade gets done is if they can find a way to move one of Demers/Golly/Oesterle before so that they have a spot for Russell to play