[Rumour] TSN: Flames 1 of 4 teams left on Kris Russell. Smid maybe moved for cap flexibility - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mister Yamoto · 10-06-2016, 06:53 PM

Haven't their been multiple teams interested in Kris Russell for the last 3 months. I'm sure a signing is immanent. Russell and his agent don't look very smart right now.

Really surprised the nobody seems to want him. Teams always seem to need to bring in a player like that sometime during the season.

Caged Great · 10-06-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I might have to disagree with you on this one. I think that we could consider Jokipakka a good enough #4 for this team. He seems to be able to fit right in.

I guess if the Flames can find a way to make this all fit under the cap, I'm all for it. Until then... I'm skeptical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

The guy is a 3rd year NHLer that has never played more than 60 games in a season due to either being in the minors or being the #7 defenseman and you think because of 18 games down the stretch that he should be penciled in and thrust into the #4 role? No NHL team wanting to make the playoffs should be comfortable with that.

Good enough for this team isn't really good enough though. This team does have the opportunity to be a top tier team this year shockingly. If the Flames were in rebuild mode only or looking like a bottom 12 team, then Jokipakka would be fine to try there as you are waiting for Andersson/Kylington/Hickey to figure things out. With greater expectations for this team, a team that should not only make the playoffs, but potentially could compete for the division, making due with a #6 as your #4 is not the ideal route.

I'm sure that Kevin would be an adequate option in that spot this season. Russell is just better overall at both ends of the ice. If you can upgrade your team and not really lose any assets (just re-using Smid's IR space for someone that can play) than why not.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 10-06-2016, 06:54 PM

Russell is downright awful. I really hope Treliving doesn't sign him. The team is miles ahead without him.

Vinny01 · 10-06-2016, 07:03 PM

Better not give up a good pick or prospect to dump Smid in order to sign Russell

Coach · 10-06-2016, 07:06 PM

I'm surprised all teams other than Calgary haven't told him to pound sand by now. It's pretty obvious he's waiting for a contract from the Flames, why would other teams wait around. I think Russell is useful, but he's not worth waiting around for.

GranteedEV · 10-06-2016, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Good enough for this team isn't really good enough though.

This is true and it applies to Kris Russell.

Lanny_McDonald · 10-06-2016, 07:09 PM

I would prefer that we moved on from Kris Russell.

dammage79 · 10-06-2016, 07:14 PM

What a silly love affair the Flames management has with Kris Russell. Just let him go. Jokipakka is going to prove he is the beter option. IMO he has already. Is it leadership qualities that Russell somehow possesses that keeps them frothing at the mouth for him?

Can't be much else. I thought he was Hartley's boy, why does Gulutzan need him.

Maybe it's expansion protection, who knows.

Maybe they figure they can use Smids LTIR cap space and use it on Ruseel without impacting Gaudreaus new deal. And then having to deal with a shoestring budget of cap space to call up replacements.

Erick Estrada · 10-06-2016, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Russell is downright awful. I really hope Treliving doesn't sign him. The team is miles ahead without him.

Yep. I hope they can't get rid of Smid if only because it would hurt the team's chances of signing Russell. This is one of those cases were Treliving clearly needs to be saved from making a mistake. He made the bed with Bollig, Engelland and Raymond signings and he needs to learn the hard way that unless you are the Rangers or Kings you can't hide from your mistakes. You learn from them, take your lumps, make the best of the situation and move on. Time to suck it up and play a rookie in your bottom pairing like the rest of the league.

BigFlameDog · 10-06-2016, 07:28 PM

I don't even believe this crap with Russell. Doesn't make any sense to grab an undersized, not as good as the talking heads think, defenceman.

I think bored sports reporters are just assuming that he will Want to come back because of the local story line.

zukes · 10-06-2016, 08:24 PM

With Russell as a true #5,6 or 7 and playing those type minutes (Jokipakka is better) and if it is cheap enough (i.e. Smid and a 4th out for a 7th and up to $2 million, no more than 2 years) then I am all for it.

robertsfanatic · 10-07-2016, 05:24 AM

does this mean that we're moving on from Nakladal? wouldn't he be a cheaper option for not much of a drop off skillwise?

Caged Great · 10-07-2016, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

does this mean that we're moving on from Nakladal? wouldn't he be a cheaper option for not much of a drop off skillwise?

Kulak does the same job, but has potential to get better. If the Flames lacked that particular skill set, then sure, but that's the one area they are deepest in organizationally.

Flamenfame · 10-07-2016, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoller

Why would we trade Smid when we can just put him on LTIR when the season starts and sign Russell after that?

This

Hot_Flatus · 10-07-2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I don't get this continued Russell rumour. The Flames have no need for him.

I'd take him over Wideman, Engelland and Wotherspoon right now if it were a 1 year deal. Definite upgrade on all three. Granted this better not happen until we get Guadreau under contract.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 10-07-2016, 08:35 AM

Is it possible the talking heads missed the announcement that Smid will not be playing this season? Therefore, his cap hit doesn't matter because he's on LTIR.

Poe969 · 10-07-2016, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I'd take him over Wideman, Engelland and Wotherspoon right now if it were a 1 year deal. Definite upgrade on all three. Granted this better not happen until we get Guadreau under contract.

But we can't take him over those guys. We have Wideman and Engelland on the team and we can't just swap them for each other. Adding Russell would be a mistake because he isn't that great, he isn't bad but the team already has a couple of guys in that category. I think the team would be better off by letting one of the rookies fighting for the spot take it and see if they can improve instead of handing it to a guy who is what he is and isn't that great. I'd rather see Kulak play over Russell, I think Kulak has a way higher ceiling.

Weitz · 10-07-2016, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Is it possible the talking heads missed the announcement that Smid will not be playing this season? Therefore, his cap hit doesn't matter because he's on LTIR.

That's not really how it works.

Flash Walken · 10-07-2016, 08:48 AM

I don't think the love affair is with Russell necessarily, it's with bonefide NHL defenders, which the team is currently lacking.

The Flames need someone who can play bottom pairing minutes reliably and ideally you'd have enough bodies to relegate wideman to spot duty when he's 'feeling it'.

Ideally Jokipakka is your #5/6 guy but right now he's #4/5 depending on how the staff views engelland. The Flames are one defensive injury away from Wideman playing 19 minutes a night and that is has the potential to be a season ending disaster.

Russell at least gives you some options if you've got multiple injuries or a guy is in a funk. Better than Wotherspoon and Kulak.

Strange Brew · 10-07-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Is it possible the talking heads missed the announcement that Smid will not be playing this season? Therefore, his cap hit doesn't matter because he's on LTIR.

Unless Flames owners aren't interested in paying his salary. We sometimes assume ownership has no budget whatsoever and only care about the cap. That may not be the case although Darryl did convince them to bury Eriksson a few years ago.