Spector: Kris Russell would net a 2nd line forward for sure

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

At the end of the day the second highest shooting % helped that out. Lance Bouma going to score 16 goals again? Wideman 15?

You say we need defense with our second best Dman on the shelf. Name the top 6 forwards on this team. I can count 4 legit guys then Bennett who is hopeful. This team needs another top 6 and we have a $30M blueline with 7 guys making over $2.6M per season when healthy

Ferland's hurt right now of course, but I think he has 2nd line potential, if he's not there already. My top 6 would be:

Gaudreau
Monahan
Hudler
Frolik
Bennett
Ferland

And I think Backlund and Colburne can step up when there are injuries. I don't think the 2nd line is too far off. It's just a matter of time and those guys will be great too.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Do you expect the flames to have 3 Dmen that have more than 10 goals? Maybe Wideman, Gio, and Hamilton get it done. Again second highest shooting % last year so it could be tough t duplicate without adding some offense

I think Wideman and Giordano can do it and Brodie will probably come in around 6-7 since he's missed time.

Hamilton has the talent but it's clear to me that he is going to need time to adjust his game to mesh with Hartley's system. Next year I can see him being Calgary's highest point scoring defenceman but not this year.

Last year the Flames were 6th in GF / G and while Hudler had a career year and I expect a slight drop off, it seems like Gaudreau is going to improve from last year and I really think the second line of Bennett, Frolik and whomever will eventually exceed last year's second line output once they build some chemistry,

Last night was the best game the Flames played this season by a long shot and if it weren't for Howard's outstanding play, they could have easily scored 4-5 goals in regulation.

Chemistry is building and when they find it, I think there will be big improvements in most aspects of the team's game except goaltending, which I'm still unsure of yet. Need to see Ortio in some game action.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Kris Russell for Taylor Hall

As much as people dislike Hall around here I think that would be a huge steal for us that Edmonton would never consider.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by Hackey

As much as people dislike Hall around here I think that would be a huge steal for us that Edmonton would never consider.

I dunno man I think Hall for Russell is pretty fair value. It's a serious proposal.

[locsofblu]

Id keep Russel. He's the real deal and he works his ass off. But if it were for something crazy good you"d have to do it

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Soliak

I dunno man I think Hall for Russell is pretty fair value. It's a serious proposal.

Even before Hall gets washed of all the Edmonton stink on him he's still worth far more than Russell.

[Vinny01]

Clearly sarcasm there

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Clearly sarcasm there

Yeah, the green text was hiding behind 12 drinks!

[Poe969]

Russell will be gone in the off season. The Flames should look at what they can get for him now, if it's a second line winger that has a future with the team, they should strongly consider it now.

[BlackWallStreet]

Unless it's a overpayment I'd rather keep Kris. He's a dynamic player and he's just going to get better. I love the fact he's from Caroline (hour away from my hometown). Definetly my favourite defenceman and I think it's pretty cool he's an assistant captain!

[AcGold]

We should keep him, him and Brodie working together and practicing together is important for the entire team. Russell has a deep knowledge of hockey and the more advanced strategies. He uses intelligence to win battles and make an impact, that kind of thing will wear off on teammates.

I hope he stays here for a long time. He's a perfect 2nd or 3rd pairing guy, we gave him a chance when few believed and he really excelled here. Hopefully he remembers that, ideally he sticks around for 3 or 4 years at a reasonable price while the young guys develop. If he's gone our 2nd pairing instantly gets much much worse.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Yeah.. Love both our current d core AND the potential top/middle pairing guys we've got stewing in various development leagues. Id be hesitant to move Russell before Hamilton shows serious improvement as far as finding the right gear to fit into our system.

Im a Wideman fan and was honestly surprised that the Hamilton deal didn't end up being the precursor that shook down to a max retained Wideman making BT a instant asset management sorcerer (ill give you this, and you give me that, then I'll just send you this right here, and I'll need those there back, and I think we're finished here, thanks! *walks away with ALL TEH PICKS)

Despite popular opinion here, my view is the NMC is a far bigger reason he's still here than this perceived lack of serious interest from many clubs.

[sureLoss]

Friedman on 960 says Russell likely going to get Tanev money. Going to start around 4 million.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Friedman on 960 says Russell likely going to get Tanev money. Going to start around 4 million.

And that's why he should be traded. I like Russell, but that is insane for what he brings. The Flames can make do without him and they do have guys that are very close to making the team.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

And that's why he should be traded. I like Russell, but that is insane for what he brings. The Flames can make do without him and they do have guys that are very close to making the team.

Not to say the Flames should start writing the contract but 4M doesn't seem insane by any means considering the the responsibilities he was assigned to and kind of play he had throughout last year as a result of it.

Main problem is, being a middle pairing kind of guy, he's not going to get that kind of money from a team like ours who has or will spend most of the money on our core with the outside pieces better fiscally managed with ELCs.

[Vinny01]

I was worried about it in the summer and the first 8 games have confirmed that this team is lacking some scoring up front. Backlund is not even close to a top 6 player and Bennett should not and so far cannot be counted on for secondary scoring. Once Brodie comes back this team has 7 Dmen making north of $2.5M a season with guys like Nakladal, Kulak, and Wortherspoon knocking on the door.

Russell or Wideman needs to be moved for help up front and whoever gets the best player in return long term should be the guy that goes. Long term the Flames have their top 3 on D locked up long term with some intriguing youngsters coming up. Not sure we should be giving Russell the 4-5 year term he is likely seeking. Sounds like the Flamea can get a decent return for one of them so hopefully something happens before this season is lost

[Dajazz]

I suppose it will be difficult to keep Russell with Wideman contract going on for another year. It really depends if somebody on the farm can step up and take his spot, because even if we need scoring we can't afford a drop in talent on the blueline, especially in the top four. We don't wan't Smid or Engelland playing 20 minutes a night do we?

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

I suppose it will be difficult to keep Russell with Wideman contract going on for another year. It really depends if somebody on the farm can step up and take his spot, because even if we need scoring we can't afford a drop in talent on the blueline, especially in the top four. We don't wan't Smid or Engelland playing 20 minutes a night do we?

One has to assume that Brodie will be back and in game shape before Rusell or Wideman are traded. A bottom pairing of Engelland/Smid/Nakladal/Kulak etc is plenty sufficient imo.

[ricardodw]

Russell is better than Hamilton. Hamilton might bring back a better return if the magic beans mystic holds out.

Beginning to see why Boston was not ready to sign Hamilton to the money (and term) that Hamilton wanted. They could have had him as the cornerstone of their rebuild. They had been watching him every day for 4 years and were willing to dump him for a 1st and 2 2nds.

Somebody that is supposed to be a top 2 D-man does not need a 2 months to adapt to different players and systems. It was like a switch went off in Gio when he got to play with Wideman rather than Hamilton, The Gio of the last couple of games is vastly better than the Gio that played 6 games with Hamilton.

Perhaps he can grow into a top-4 guy, but he is not close to expectations. 10% of the Flames season has gone.


It seem that Hamilton has the Phanuef-lite package of size, skill and shot that got him to the NHL but a lack of hockey IQ/instinct that will keep him as a secondary player and not be able to contribute to team success by playing to his potential.

[Poe969]

8 games in and some are ready to write players off. Is he not playing up to expectations or are some of the expectations people had just too much?

I mean it's been 8 games and he hasn't even hit the 40 point mark!