[Rumour] The Kris Russell Sweepstakes Continue - UPDATE: Oilers offer 1-year deal?

[EldrickOnIce]

Dead to me

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Russell is certainly not the silver bullet to the Oilers D woes, but I don't understand why any Flames fan would hope this happens. He instantly improves their D, he instantly improves their leadership. Therefore he instantly improves their club.

The only risk for them would overpaying with term, and the rumour specifically says short term. Here's hoping this doesn't happen.

[djsFlames]

Nothing can save that steaming pile of you know what. Least of all Russell. Not too concerned. Not like he drove possession. He was an anchor to Hamilton's numbers whenever they were together. Decent leader, will block a lot of shots. But that's about it.

[Inglewood Jack]

Don't worry, you'll all stop fearing this potential signing the very first time Johnny fakes a shot, causing Russell to flop to the ice so that he can easily be walked around for the Flames opening goal.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

Don't like it. Adding Russell will make the oilers better.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not a huge fan of it either, but it doesnt worry me.

While Russell is a quality player and you'd think he'd improve the Oilers the reality is that he is the absolute last player the Oilers need.

Their entire schtick is predicated on not being able to get the puck out of their own zone and up to their forwards, Russell takes that particular flaw and magnifies it.

That being said, he is a good teammate and evidently a good leader and you'd think thats something the Oilers sorely lack and desperately need, however this has been going on for over a decade and no matter who they add the problem still persists so I'm pretty confident that Russell isnt going to be the one to turn that particular ship around.

[GreenLantern2814]

Maybe they'll name him captain

[calgaryblood]

So is it obvious now he isn't getting much interest now that he's talking to the Oilers?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

So is it obvious now he isn't getting much interest now that he's talking to the Oilers?

Well...the Edmonton Oilers really are the 'Last Chance Saloon' at the end of the Line.

I can envision the conversation with his agent.

"Uh...Kris...I think we have to talk to Pete."

KR: "Good Lord...has it come to this?"

*sad, slow nodding*

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well...the Edmonton Oilers really are the 'Last Chance Saloon' at the end of the Line.

I can envision the conversation with his agent.

"Uh...Kris...I think we have to talk to Pete."

KR: "Good Lord...has it come to this?"

*sad, slow nodding*

As his wife weeps in the background.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

but I don't understand why any Flames fan would hope this happens .

Because Russell isn't good. Ergo if the Oilers fill a spot with someone who isn't good they then won't fill it with someone who is.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by zyzz

f
They can have him. PS so much for you taking a break from the site.

Grow up!

[robaur]

Russell isnt very good. Was always overhyped by the media here....Kerr, Steinberg etc...but when he went to Dallas...it was pretty obvious.

Same thing happened with Glencross....the local media is more focused on maintaining a good relationship with players on the roster and forget to actually present their thoughts without massive bias.

Most opinions on players in Calgary are tainted by the bias of media such as Steinberg, Wills, Kerr, Millions etc....and its does a massive disservice to this hockey market. I think its just because the Flames ownership are very involved in Fan 960 operations or its just a small town?? Anyone care to elaborate?

[djsFlames]

I think it's cause the 960 crew are pretty close to the team and establish these friendly "relations" with the guys in the room, particularly through all the charity and community events at which the station is present and after a while it gets in the way of their intellectual honest like you say. They're a bit easy on guys in a league that is supposed to be the best in the world.

Steinberg will be pretty blunt on OT and stuff. But Kerr is a little too respectful of the guys and Loubo is the most guilty for playing up the hometown heroes even when they're weak links on the team.

We could use some more honest personalities. But that doesn't mean a guy like Francis. He's on the opposite end of the spectrum. Eternally negative, makes things up, rips on guys unnecessarily etc. It'd be good to have a guy in there somewhere between the two.

[MarkGio]

Well let's see:

Sekera - Larsson
Russell - Klefbom
Nurse - Davidson
Fayne

That's better than what they had last season for sure

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Well let's see:

Sekera - Larsson
Russell - Klefbom
Nurse - Davidson
Fayne

That's better than what they had last season for sure

#4-5 D - #2 D (ideally a #3)
#5-6 D - #3-4 D
NHL tweener - #5-6 D
#7/depth D

Better, but still not a playoff blue line. Not even close. And that's if they sign Russell.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

#4-5 D - #2 D (ideally a #3)
#5-6 D - #3-4 D
NHL tweener - #5-6 D
#7/depth D

Better, but still not a playoff blue line. Not even close. And that's if they sign Russell.

The Oilers haven't had a season with more than 74 points in 8 years. I'm pretty sure improvement is all they're looking for and not playoffs, which would probably require 20 points more than 74 to even be in the conversation.

[killer_carlson]

Russell isn't a #5-6 just because he's looking at being an Oiler.

Russell is a #4-5, but leaning towards a second pairing guy.

[DeluxeMoustache]

On the other hand, the Flames made the playoffs and went to the second round with Russell as a top four.

Last year can not be hung on him alone.

He can be part of a productive team in the right role. He does need the right partner and team construct.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

#4-5 D - #2 D (ideally a #3)
#5-6 D - #3-4 D
NHL tweener - #5-6 D
#7/depth D

Better, but still not a playoff blue line. Not even close. And that's if they sign Russell.

For crying out loud, let's take off the Oilers hatred glasses for a second and evaluate the team accurately, shall we?

Sekera you listed as a #4-5? He's quite easily a 2nd pairing d-man with leaning towards a top pairing support guy. Final verdict: #2-3, likely a #3.

Larsson is without a doubt in the same bracket as Sekera, but slightly better. He's ideally a #2 defensively focused player to complement an offensive defenseman. Final Verdict: #2-3, likely a #2.

Klefbom is a solid player, but still young for a defenseman and yet to reach his peak. He's likely a 2nd pairing guy at the moment, but could still turn into a top pairing defenseman. Final Verdict: #3-4 currently, possibly top pairing in the future.

Russell has been the source of much debate around here, but I think he's firmly established himself as a better player than a guy who can't rise above the 3rd pairing. On a really good team he's likely a #5, but that's not the Oilers. Final Verdict: #4-5, depending on the team.

Nurse is young, but he's definitely an NHL player. He's got upside that he hasn't realized yet, but as of now he's an ok 3rd pairing defenseman. Almost all 3rd pairing guys have holes in their game, and Nurse has some holes. Final Verdict: #5-6 currently, trending upward.

Davidson has sort of come out of nowhere, as he was one of the few good news stories for Edmonton last year. I doubt he rises above the 3rd pair, but he's established himself pretty well. However, I think it's possible he regresses back a little into being the extra defenseman, but it's just as likely that he progresses into more of a Kris Russell level. Final Verdict: #5-6 currently, future is unknown.

Mark Fayne's stock has fallen a lot since his days in New Jersey, but that's largely because of the lack of support from his teammates. He's not great, but he's no worse than Engelland. He can still play 3rd pairing minutes just fine, but is closer to an extra d-man these days. Final Verdict: #6-7.

Basically you have everyone listed at least a slot or two too low, probably due to anti-Oiler bias. They aren't a fantastic group, but there's enough talent there to be a passable defense provided the right system and coaching. If you add Russell to that group, all of a sudden there's a lot more quality depth in the group. No, he wouldn't turn around the franchise, but he would make them a lot more competitive.

If you look at the makeup of their defense, the Oilers are still missing that bonafide #1 defenseman who is an offensive catalyst and power play quarterback. Until they get that guy, they have everyone slotted a spot too high which exposes their weaknesses. So basically, they don't have a great defense yet, but it's hardly awful and the team makeup is slowly getting better.

We can sit and laugh all we want at the Oilers' past failures, and rightly so, but they shouldn't be taken lightly. They're creating a team that will definitely be more competitive this year, so the Flames better be ready to play when the puck drops.

[taco.vidal]

A guy who hasnt found a team wanting to sign him almost three months into free agency? Seems the rest of the NHL doesnt care, so why care here if he signs with the Oilers.