Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Russell averaged 23:56 a game, so 24 mins. Russell had 283 blocked shots to least the entire league, 2nd place had 209. Which #5-6 defenseman on playoff teams in this league average 24 mins a game? None, that doesn't make any sense does it.
You'd have to be living in a pretty bizarro world for that to not represent a top 4 defenseman. You're selling him very, very, very short. I'm surprised anybody would attempt to claim he's not a top 4 defenseman, that's just silly. His play last year was easily that of a top 3-4 d-man. He looked like a top 4 defenseman, he performed like a top 4 d-man, he was utilized as a top 4 d-man. So yeah, he's a top 4 d-man quite easily.
Yes, that does mean the Flames have 5 d-men who are top 4, that's how you become good and be able to win through injuries.
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He was a top 4 last season on this team but he has some serious liabilities size wise. Yeah for a defenceman he is very, very, very short. He can't handle the big forwards with their cycle which was demonstrated against the Ducks and as has already been discussed there is a reason he needed to block so many shots. With the Hamilton acquisition he's only top 5 now and we don't need to pay a top 5 top 4 money or we'll get in serious cap trouble.
One thing our current management has been doing is overpaying some middling vets such as Raymond and Stajan. We don't want to make the same mistake with Russell as cap management is changing towards paying the stars top money while the rest get closer to the minimum. We saw this off season play out with middling UFA players having to sign for much less than previously or even get a contract and this trend will continue.