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GranteedEV · 06-08-2015, 03:29 PM

There are the top 3 D on the Blackhawks and Lightning:

Hedman
Stralman
Coburn

Keith
Seabrook
Hjamarsson

The Flames need to add a third top 3D. I think Wideman and Russell can both do fine in the Oduya / Garrison role (with a preference for Russell as he makes less bad pinches). I want to believe somebody in our system, whether that's Kulak, Hickey, Culkin, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Rafikov, Kanzig, or maybe our draft pick this year, can be that top 3D.

I feel Schlemko-Wideman is an awesome bottom pairing and Gio-Brodie is the best top pairing in the NHL.

All I want is a #3D. From a cost perspective, especially after seeing the sizable Petry contract, I'm not sure we're gonna find that guy in free agency (but I'd still want to take a stab at Franson as he's a statistical possession-driver with size)

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Franson
Wideman-Schlemko

That looks a lot more steady and stable than what we were rolling last year.

One more thing to consider is that Russell is getting a raise in the 2016 season. I really like Kris Russell @ 2.6 AAV right now. I think up to 4.2 mil AAV is fair market value for him. But if you start talking middle pairing money (5.5+) with him, then you have to let him walk. That's doubly so because he's such a poor possession driver that you can only find so many interested buyers. Teams want to acquire solid possession guys like Leddy, Sekera and Coburn in trades, and that's not Russell's game.

So then if you plan to let Russell walk as UFA, that leaves a gap on the middle pairing anyways.

06-08-2015, 03:29 PM	#2997
GranteedEV Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary Exp:	There are the top 3 D on the Blackhawks and Lightning: Hedman Stralman Coburn Keith Seabrook Hjamarsson The Flames need to add a third top 3D. I think Wideman and Russell can both do fine in the Oduya / Garrison role (with a preference for Russell as he makes less bad pinches). I want to believe somebody in our system, whether that's Kulak, Hickey, Culkin, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Rafikov, Kanzig, or maybe our draft pick this year, can be that top 3D. I feel Schlemko-Wideman is an awesome bottom pairing and Gio-Brodie is the best top pairing in the NHL. All I want is a #3D. From a cost perspective, especially after seeing the sizable Petry contract, I'm not sure we're gonna find that guy in free agency (but I'd still want to take a stab at Franson as he's a statistical possession-driver with size) Gio-Brodie Russell-Franson Wideman-Schlemko That looks a lot more steady and stable than what we were rolling last year. One more thing to consider is that Russell is getting a raise in the 2016 season. I really like Kris Russell @ 2.6 AAV right now. I think up to 4.2 mil AAV is fair market value for him. But if you start talking middle pairing money (5.5+) with him, then you have to let him walk. That's doubly so because he's such a poor possession driver that you can only find so many interested buyers. Teams want to acquire solid possession guys like Leddy, Sekera and Coburn in trades, and that's not Russell's game. So then if you plan to let Russell walk as UFA, that leaves a gap on the middle pairing anyways. __________________ "May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory." Last edited by GranteedEV; 06-08-2015 at 03:41 PM.