Russell, a 29-year-old unrestricted free agent, was second in the NHL last season with 210 blocked shots in 62 games with the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames (Francois Beauchemin of the Colorado Avalanche led the League with 256). Russell led the NHL with 283 blocks in 2014-15 and set an NHL single-game record with 15 blocked shots against the Boston Bruins on March 6, 2015.
Earlier Friday, the Oilers traded forward Nail Yakupov , the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, to the St. Louis Blues for forward prospect Zach Pochiro and a conditional draft pick.
Russell had four goals and 19 points last season, and four assists in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Stars. He was traded to Dallas by Calgary on Feb. 29.
In nine seasons, Russell has 38 goals and 177 points in 573 games with the Stars, Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.
