Quote:
Originally Posted by Zulu29
Yeah, my rationale is that Engelland offers flexibility (can play forward) and physical tangibles that we need. Not to take away from Russell, I do like him, however Gio, Brodie and even Wotherspoon to an extent can do the puck moving things that he can but all three of those guys (maybe not so much Brodie) can also hold their own physically.
I think we'll get a decent return for Russell, early 3rd or late 2nd.
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A Russell trade would make sense, I wasn't even considering that (I was talking about Russell being the presser D-man in the whole mix). As much as I would encourage keeping him, he is a replaceable asset if we can get value for him. I would want to replace him with a similar skillset though.
I could see Engelland moved as a rarely used RW before Russell is sent to the presser, personally. Now, these are my hopes, and the points against them are definitely valid. I just really don't want to move towards a hard-hitting low mobile defence we have had in the past, and players like Russell allow that kind of versatility.
Gio and Brodie are great assets due to their mobility and Gio's physical play. Without Russell in the lineup we have the options of relying on Wideman and Wotherspoon to move the puck up the ice or breaking up a duo that worked very well last year.