Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
As we've talked about earlier in the the thread if I'm re-signing Russell it is to be our #5 d-man long term. He makes a great #5 IMO as he can fill in top 4 when injuries strike. I don't think Russell at 3 million really prevents us signing the core at all because Smid, Engelland and Wideman could all be gone within a little over a year.
Where do we get the top 4 guy? I'd imagine either we draft a kid this year in the top 15 like Chychrun, Juolevi or Sergachev or maybe one of our existing kids like Kylington, Andersson or Hickey develops into that. Or maybe Treliving makes another Hamilton type deal.
We're only signing Russell if he takes a discount and fits in the salary structure as a #5 IMO. I don't see Treliving paying him top 4 type money.
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This makes alot of sense to me. Sign him on a hometown discount as #5 equivalent otherwise he goes at trade deadline for a 2nd rounder or 2nd+3rd rounder.
Insurance if one of our D prospects does not emerge as legit #4 defenseman in next 2-3 years.
One wrench in all this is the likelihood the Flames draft in 5-10 spot and end up with one of the three or four blue chip defensemen available in top 10. In such case you still have Russell as #5 and some options for a trade later as long as Russell's term is not too long.