Did Kris Russell overplay his hand in free agency?

[mrdonkey]

Yeah, I don't get why, if the Flames were interested in bringing Russell back, they would waste time offering a PTO to Grossmann but not the guy they actually want for the job. Makes no sense for the team or for Russell.

[Fischy13]

I don't get why they need to wait to put Smid on LTIR to sign Russell. They can go over the cap by 10% in the off season, right? Then when it changes to regular season, Smid is on LTIR and its a wash.... Is there some mystical time where they have to be compliant for a day or something? The Flames cap should be in one of two positions. Allowed 10% over or have Smid on LTIR. My apologies if this is explain somewhere.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by getbak

If that was the case, why wouldn't they have signed Russell to a PTO so that he could get into some game action and work on the new systems? Why waste time having Grossmann in camp on a PTO if they're just going to turn around and sign Russell?

Injury risk?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by getbak

If that was the case, why wouldn't they have signed Russell to a PTO so that he could get into some game action and work on the new systems? Why waste time having Grossmann in camp on a PTO if they're just going to turn around and sign Russell?

Maybe Russell wanted to continue to negotiate with other teams without risking injury playing while not under contract.

[Samonadreau]

Plus if he is playing on a PTO and is showing poorly it will hurt his stock for the Flames and other teams. A PTO could hurt him more than help him.

[Locke]

Does Kris Russell know where the bodies are buried or something?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Maybe Russell wanted to continue to negotiate with other teams without risking injury playing while not under contract.

That pretty much answers your own question about it being a foregone conclusion then.