Did Kris Russell overplay his hand in free agency?

[TheScorpion]

Florida is having a top-3 weird offseason ever. They've "promoted" their GM, hired a member of one of the worst Washington Capitals teams ever (seriously, they started 2-8-2 in '76) as the new guy, and turned over a huge chunk of their roster... all after their first 100-point season!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

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

I'm sure if Russell and Hudler had been willing to sign two-way contracts that pay slightly more than league-minimum in the NHL, they would have been signed a long time ago too.

[Samonadreau]

Off topic but I wonder what Hudler is expecting and what is realistic for him to be offered...

[bax]

Originally Posted by nik-

I don't think it's a coincidence that Russell and Glencross are close friends. They both went into FA really overvaluing what their role was and it cost them.



Granted Glencross did have a disastrous tenure in Washington too.

Yes that is a coincidence. These types of things are completely on the agents. They are the ones who deal with all of this, not the players.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

If you're asking me, Reimer in and Montoya out is pretty much a wash, maybe a slight edge to Reimer.



Campbell out and Yandle in is also kind of a wash, but Yandle is much younger and might actually throw a hit now and then. Campbell was soft as melted butter.



Losing Mitchell hurts a lot, not only for his on ice talent, but for his leadership and mentorship of the younger d-men. It's no coincidence that they weren't as effective defensively last year the minute he went down with injury. I'm pretty sure he's retiring, so there wasn't anything they could have done to keep him.



Gudbranson was exposed last playoffs by Tavares. Gudbranson was supposed to be a great shutdown d-man, but he ended up getting torched and it likely single-handedly lost the Panthers the series. I like him as a physical 3rd pairing guy, but he was going to get paid like a top 4 d-man, and he just couldn't handle it.



Kulikov was very solid over the last couple of seasons, which was a massive improvement. He still has moments of lackadaisical play which drive me nuts, but when he's on he's a very good 2nd pairing defenseman who can drive the play. However, it sounds like he was going to become too expensive, so they needed to move him.



However, they got back Pysyk to replace Gudbranson.



Signed Demers to effectively replace Kulikov.



And they have a young Mike Matheson (as well as Ian MacCoshen) ready to step into a top 4 role tomorrow.



Add in McCann as a skilled 3rd liner, and Sceviour and Marchessault to be veteran 4th line energy players, and all of a sudden that roster looks really complete and ready to make a run.



That's not even considering the young core that got a year older and more experienced, plus their first playoff experience.



So yeah, they got better, and younger. Just IMO.

Agree with all of this except for the Reimer part. He will help improve this team a ton simply because he can step in and play 35-40 games which will really help Luongo. He looked tired in the playoffs so more rest should allow him to play at a higher level late in the season

[Alberta_Beef]

I think Russell would be a good fit for the Panthers with Mitchell retiring. He would fill the leadership void certainly, he won't be as good defensively but will be an improvement in mobility and puck moving.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by bax

Yes that is a coincidence. These types of things are completely on the agents. They are the ones who deal with all of this, not the players.

Agents still answer to their clients.

[Flash Walken]

I wonder if Russell is chasing dollars, term or location.

Seems pretty obvious he over played his hand at this point

[FlamesAddiction]

Russell's relatively high value as an asset the past 2 years was pretty much due to the fact he was on such a reasonable contract. Take that away, and he become far less enticing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I wonder if Russell is chasing dollars, term or location.

Seems pretty obvious he over played his hand at this point

A bird in the hand is worth 10 bushels of wheat. Or something like that.

I agree though, it certainly does seem that way.

[The Yen Man]

Watch him sign for cheaper but longterm after the Monahan / Gaudreau deals are done, and see CP meltdown in rage.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Watch him sign for cheaper but longterm after the Monahan / Gaudreau deals are done, and see CP meltdown in rage.

I've said it a few times in this thread, I'd happily have Kris Russel back in the lineup, no issues whatsoever, so long as the dollars and term make sense.

He isnt hot garbage, he just also isnt as good as he thinks he is in terms of his contract value.

In no Universe is Kris Russel a $5M+ defenceman. Maybe half that.

[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.

[DJones]

Seems like NJD is an obvious choice. Good enough goalie to handle the work load and Russell is a good enough skater to get the puck up to Hall.

[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.

[Locke]

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.

Yeah...In Treliving we trust. Sometimes the best moves you make are the moves you dont make.

[saillias]

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'.

Agreed, there was a lack of trust there with Hartley, but I think with Gulultzan we will see a regular Wotherspoon/Kulak.

Many GMs around the league could do themselves a service by not signing the Polaks and Jackmans and just play their young, capable 20-23 year old prospects

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Locke

A bird in the hand is worth 10 bushels of wheat. Or something like that.

A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Although I do like your version as a comment against gluten or something like that.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Although I do like your version as a comment against glutton or something like that.

Against glutton?

Or gluten?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Although I do like your version as a comment against glutton or something like that.

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Against glutton?

Or gluten?