Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
What more does he have to prove to convice you and others he is legit top 4?
@ 1.5m this year he is a mega bargain. Add another 1.5m to thart total and that is where I would be comfortable on a per year salary at three years/ He has been at the very VERY least the Flames' second best D-mann this year. And Earned it.
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Legit top 4 is a big stretch. Maybe on the Flames, but that is not saying much.
I would also like to point out that a lot of CP'ers seem to look at good playing streaks and think they are the norm or going to be the norm. Look no further than Stempniak this year. A lot of CP wanted him re-signed at the start of the year forgetting how streaky he is. I also look at someone like Smith who in his first 20 games or so looked like a bottom 5-6 d-man that could play top 4 in a pinch. Are you going to tell me he looks the same now?
I would not mind if they gave Russell a one year extension, but i would be wary of giving him more than that. I watched a lot of Blues games last year, and on a more defensive system he did not look that great. There was a reason they brought in a bunch of other d-men to replace him and he was not claimed on waivers. I'm not convinced his defensive game is as good as some CP'ers think it is and that Hartley's slightly lacking defensive system has something to do with that. I don't think Hartley will be around for a full year next year, and if they bring in a more defensive style coach and system, i could see Russell's play reverting back more to the Blues days.