Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
That is a horrible comparison.
Russell is very responsible in his own end. You honestly sound like a pure-stat guy who judges players on their stats and not their play.
I don't recall ever this season wishing Russell would make less mistakes in his own end or be smarter or whatever. Always hustling, and making high percentage plays defensively.
He is a top 4 guy on any NHL team.
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Russell is a 3rd pairing D on a contending team. If he is playing higher up the roster, your team is not going to win the Stanley Cup. He's a good puck mover, skates well, and he doesn't make boneheaded mistakes a la Butler.
He has physical limitations. Russell was not able to contain Getzlaf and Perry, and I can't see that changing without a dangerous level of PED use.
With that said, he is more than a match for most bottom six forwards in the NHL. Every team needs a guy on the 3rd pairing that can move up the roster for a few weeks and hold the fort.