Did Kris Russell overplay his hand in free agency?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Locke

Why don't you make like a tree, and get outta here.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I just don't want the Flames to over commit term to a 4th Dman.

We already have our top 3 locked up with term and sizable cap hits.

Maybe I'm off my rocker, but I believe we have several young NHL defensemen in our system on the way, and it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when'.

There is Jokipakka for one, who already is an NHL Dman, it's just a question of will he be a top 4 guy, or just a decent bottom pair defensive Dman.

Then over the next 2-3 years I truly believe Wotherspoon, Kulak, Culkin, Kylington, Andersson and Hickey all have the ability, and will make strong pushes to be on the Flames roster, and some of them should be good enough for top 4 duty at least.

That's why it would be nice to sign a decent #4 (partner for Hamilton) to a 2 year deal and not some 4/5 year long term deal that we're going to be wishing isn't there 2 years from now. And if you do sign a deal like that with a guy like Russell (for example), there definitely can't be any clauses and it needs to be reasonable so that it can be traded for value down the road and not left as some albatross hanging around your neck that your only option to get rid of it might have to be buying it out.

If the Flames signed him to something with a bit more term, but a lower cap hit, then they could expose him in the expansion draft next year and Vegas would take him almost for sure. As long as he is fine knowing that he will be in Vegas then it should work out for everyone.

Kris gets the term he wants. The Flames get a #4 to partner with Hamilton for the year, and also protect the rest of their assets by having Vegas take a player that the Flames signed as a UFA. Vegas gets a vet top 4 Dman with leadership at a reasonable cap hit.

[activeStick]

If he comes back i don't see anything more than 4 on an AAV and if the rumours are true he won't sign here because of better options.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Did he overplay his hand or is this guy about to get paid serious term and money?

http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2...s-kris-russell

Sounds like some idiot is gonna really overpay this guy for way too long.

That story is over a week old, with quotes from tweets on July 1. It's unlikely that a bidding war would still be going on more than a week after free agency opened.

If you look at previous years, the last time an Unrestricted Free Agent signed a contract with a cap hit of at least $4 million more than a week after free agency opened was Alexander Semin, who signed a one-year $7 million deal with Carolina on July 26, 2012.

[Cantrader]

Maybe the flames can sign him cheap and trade him again for more assets during the trading deadline.that would be funny.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cantrader

Maybe the flames can sign him cheap and trade him again for more assets during the trading deadline.that would be funny.

Almost like the Blues did with...Keith Tkachuk?

Its our time!

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Why don't you make like a tree, and get outta here.

"Uh... now Biff, I want make sure that we get two coats of wax this time. Not just one."

[ricardodw]

There is supposed to be a lot of teams working on getting Trouba or Shattenkirk or Barrie and Russell could be plan B or backfill for the teams losing one of their top-4.

[shadowlord]

Does anyone know if there is a chart showing how many goals Russell is on the ice for as compared to the each of rest of the defencemen?

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

Who would have thought that Mason Raymond would signanother NHL. contract before both Hudler and Russel

It goes to show you how much each guy must be asking for. And when I say much I'm talking term, not cap hit. Both players could likely sign a 2-3 year deal today but must be holding out hope they can get 4-5 years from someone.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Cantrader

Maybe the flames can sign him cheap and trade him again for more assets during the trading deadline.that would be funny.

No joke. I would be all for signing him to a 1 year deal. But the return on him might be a whole lot less this time around.

Seems like he is going to have to sign a one year deal.

[FBI]

I smell PTO for Jones.

[Vulcan]

I don't want Russell back here as he isn't a fit. Maybe if Wideman was gone we could pair him with Engelland but that's about it. He should hurry and sign somewhere though as there are only so many musical chairs available.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Does anyone know if there is a chart showing how many goals Russell is on the ice for as compared to the each of rest of the defencemen?

Is this what you had in mind?

Spoiler!

Dallas During Playoffs
http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?repo...eamId=25&pos=D
Flames Reg. Season
http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?repo...eamId=20&pos=D
Dallas Reg. Season
http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?repo...eamId=25&pos=D

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Pinder said on the fan about 15 mins ago that he'd heard a totally unsubstantiated rumour that the Flames are trying to clear up some space to sign Russell.

[Ashasx]

You would think that if we'd want to clear up cap space, it'd be in preparation for extension to Bennett, etc., in preparation for next off-season. Re-signing Monahan and Gaudreau will already put us right at the cap for the season.

I'd rather Russell not be taking that space

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You would think that if we'd want to clear up cap space, it'd be in preparation for extension to Bennett, etc., in preparation for next off-season. Re-signing Monahan and Gaudreau will already put us right at the cap for the season.

I'd rather Russell not be taking that space

Space for Bennett would be cleared with the expiration of the $12+ million tied up in the Wideman, Engelland and Smid contracts.

[Ashasx]

That makes sense. I'd also prefer to re-sign Nakladal, because he's better and cheaper.

[Toonage]

There seems to be smoke, so there's a possibility of fire.

Prepare accordingly.

[JiriHrdina]

I think Nakladal played well in the latter stages of the season, but for some reason, his performance and confidence of that performance going forward is over-stated.
To me, it is pretty clear he isn't in the Flames' plans and moreover, hasn't been snapped up by anyone else to this point.