[MissTeeks]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/w...no-sure-thing/

There are two defencemen out West who will command attention, but you might be surprised at who brings back the most at Monday’s Trade Deadline.

Among a group of scouts and executives we spoke with this week, Calgary’s Kris Russell was deemed a more valuable UFA Deadline pickup by most than Vancouver’s Dan Hamhuis. It’s a dangerous exercise: My sources could be the minority, and it only takes one GM to overpay and blow a theory out of the water.

But we spoke with more than five different NHL people, and only one said he would said he would acquire Hamhuis ahead of Russell, given a choice between the two with equal trade compensation. Both are considered to be solid No. 4 defencemen on a good team, and there’s no doubt that Hamhuis has had a more decorated career.

“Most of us don’t like small players,” said one scout, “but (Russell) is the biggest small player you’ll find. Top 4 defenceman, good passer, can handle pressure. Great vision and anticipation and sense. Hard to hit…”

Russell’s game lends itself to the postseason, was the overriding sentiment.

“You’d think he’d have problems around the front of the net, but he positions himself so he never gets in a high-end strength situation where he has to outmuscle someone,” another scout said. “I love the guy. I wish he was 6-2, 210 lbs. But his heart? It’s that big.”

One executive echoed what so many say about Russell, who led the NHL in shots blocked last season. “Why’s he blocking so many shots? Doesn’t he ever get the puck out?”