Quote:
Originally Posted by Canada 02
love the player that he has developed into, but remember that every team in the league passed on him on waivers.
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Very true... I bet the Flames didn't know he would be this good either, otherwise they would have taken him off waivers or tried to trade for him earlier (rather then make the trade, IIRC something about how they could save a few bucks off arbitration or something). Probably thought he was serviceable and could challenge for a spot at best.
Also, this is just my opinion but I don't think he becomes as good as he did without Gio/Brodie. I think Gio/Brodie really set a system that made it ok and accepted to jump into the rush that Russell did, and he flourished under that system. He probably wouldn't have had the career breakout elsewhere.