Kris Russell

[polak]

He was very shaky this season and that happened to come on his contract year. Very glad we traded him as I thought Jokipakka was an immediate improvement on Russell of this season. Even Nakladal was more solid than Russell for us this year.

Glad Russell was able to work it out in Dallas but I don't think he's someone you want on your 2nd pairing all year and I definitely don't think he's worth 5 Million.

Very happy with the trade.

[Resolute 14]

If the Flames were to follow the Chicago model, players like Russell don't fit. You need guys in the position he occupies to outperform their contracts, and that means guys who are about to get paid get moved.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Big time minutes on the team with the worst GAA of all teams to make the playoffs? I can believe that.

That's not completely fair, though. They're also the number one seed in the west.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

If the Flames were to follow the Chicago model, players like Russell don't fit. You need guys in the position he occupies to outperform their contracts, and that means guys who are about to get paid get moved.

absolutely true... Now the Flames need Gio and Hamilton to out perform their contracts, like Keith and Seabrook..... Campbell was really good, but did not out perform his contract.

Kevin has very little chance of outperforming Russell, but a very good chance of outperforming his contract.

[BigRed]

So would Kris Russell at $3.5 mln for 5 years be worth it?


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[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by BigRed

So would Kris Russell at $3.5 mln for 5 years be worth it?


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No

[calgaryblood]

We are way too small on D to have even considered Russel to be honest. We need some size on the back end. We can't have 4-5 pick movers on the back end without sacrificing some chances against. Considering we were last in goals against it made no sense to keep and sign Russel.

[dino7c]

Trade was great for the Flames...people on here and in the media were saying he is not a good player though in general terms, pretty obviously they were dead wrong

[hockey.modern]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

absolutely true... Now the Flames need Gio and Hamilton to out perform their contracts, like Keith and Seabrook..... Campbell was really good, but did not out perform his contract.

Kevin has very little chance of outperforming Russell, but a very good chance of outperforming his contract.

Not to sure what your saying. Mark Giordano did better this season than Brent Seabrook and Dougie Hamilton tied Duncan Keith in points 10 years younger. Keith may be better all around but Dougie is again, ten years younger.

[Monahan For Mayor]

I'm not convinced he's any better than Kevin. I personally feel much more at ease when Kevin is on the ice, than I did with Russell.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by BigRed

So would Kris Russell at $3.5 mln for 5 years be worth it?


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Good point. Where did these $5 million+ numbers come from. Perhaps he, like Byron, would have been glad to take a discounted salary to stay here.

IMO, in spite of their special attributes and contribution to this team, I don't think guys like Russell and Byron were ever going to be part of our team in the long run, because of their size. And IMO, that's a shame.

[TheScorpion]

I find Jokipakka to be a very strong equivalent to Kris Russell. They're both really solid defensemen who are good puck-movers.

I'd love to see this not immediately but in maybe 2017-18:

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Nakladal - Kylington
Sieloff

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I find Jokipakka to be a very strong equivalent to Kris Russell. They're both really solid defensemen who are good puck-movers.

I'd love to see this not immediately but in maybe 2017-18:

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Nakladal - Kylington
Sieloff

You have Sieloff penciled in over Wotherspoon? I think Spoon will be on the team before Kylington.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

You have Sieloff penciled in over Wotherspoon? I think Spoon will be on the team before Kylington.

I think Spoon will be fata'd next season. He's not good enough to deserve a spot, but good enough that there will be a team interested.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

You have Sieloff penciled in over Wotherspoon? I think Spoon will be on the team before Kylington.

Yeah, I like Sieloff's game. I agree that Spoon'll be traded, I also think Kulak will be traded, and Andersson is a ways away.

[Trailer Fire]

Russell was a better pick mover, and Jokipakka is much better defensively.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yeah, I like Sieloff's game. I agree that Spoon'll be traded, I also think Kulak will be traded, and Andersson is a ways away.

You may be happily surprised by Andersson if you feel he is "a ways away" the kid has impressed since Training Camp.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Wotherspoon looked NHL ready. Good chance he makes the team next fall IMO

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Wotherspoon looked NHL ready. Good chance he makes the team next fall IMO

Agreed. The only thing that might hold him back, even a little, is that he's due for a raise which will put him over $1m.

If cap space is a concern, if its needed for a free agent etc they might opt for the cheaper Brett Kulak.

Edit: This of course assumes that Wideman & Smid are moved or otherwise no longer in the picture.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

Good point. Where did these $5 million+ numbers come from. Perhaps he, like Byron, would have been glad to take a discounted salary to stay here.

IMO, in spite of their special attributes and contribution to this team, I don't think guys like Russell and Byron were ever going to be part of our team in the long run, because of their size. And IMO, that's a shame.

The $5+ million numbers came from Bob McKenzie acting as a mouthpiece for Russell's agent.

And even at $3.5 million, Russell is a bad investment for our situation - though that would be a reasonable number for other teams.