[Trade] Russell to the Stars for Jokipakka, Pollock & 2nd (becomes 1st if conf finals)

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Locke

Who wouldnt? That makes total sense and I'm surprised its even a discussion.

Russell: 28 years old, durable, shotblocking top 4 dman good for 15-30 points.

Hamhuis: 33 years old, soft, top 4 dman good for 20-30 points.

Hamhuis is the better 'defender', russell likely the better all-around player that could also be signed in the offseason.

Too many restrictions around Hamhuis in terms of his future, probably didn't do himself any favours publicly saying he'd like to come back to Vancouver.

If Russell has a good showing in Dallas this year they will re-sign him.

[AcGold]

Russell has to be one of the most overrated dmen in the league right now. What are his strengths? He can block shots?

He's not that fast, not a great shot, not very big, not great at defending. He's tough and can block shots... just don't see how that's worth more than 2.5. Still shocked at the return and elated we didn't sign him 4x5.5.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Liking Jokipakka the more I see and hear from him. Always had an affinity for a Finnish defender and he looks like a stereotypical one. Been playing 3rd pairing in Dallas but not a surprise. Should be interesting to see if he can be a steady two-way guy to line up next to Hamilton.

Looks like a late bloomer. Was passed over two times in the draft, then drafted at 19 in the very last round by Dallas.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Russell has to be one of the most overrated dmen in the league right now. What are his strengths? He can block shots?

He's not that fast, not a great shot, not very big, not great at defending. He's tough and can block shots... just don't see how that's worth more than 2.5. Still shocked at the return and elated we didn't sign him 4x5.5.

Russell is an incredible skater, that's easily one of his strengths.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

Who wouldnt? That makes total sense and I'm surprised its even a discussion.

Russell: 28 years old, durable, shotblocking top 4 dman good for 15-30 points.

Hamhuis: 33 years old, soft, top 4 dman good for 20-30 points.

It was kind of interesting watching the two shows yesterday.

On TSN, they were pretty universal in thinking that Hamhuis was the better player - some by a wide margin.

And on Sportsnet, they were more in agreement that Russell was the better player. I think it was John McLean that said: it isn't really close.

Very polarizing.

[polak]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Russell has to be one of the most overrated dmen in the league right now. What are his strengths? He can block shots?

He's not that fast, not a great shot, not very big, not great at defending. He's tough and can block shots... just don't see how that's worth more than 2.5. Still shocked at the return and elated we didn't sign him 4x5.5.

This!
I don't get what part of the game he's supposedly good enough at to garner this hype but whatevs! Not our problem. I would have been okay with the Conditional 1st so everything else is gravy.

Yeah is a good skater but the problem is if he joins the rush and doesn't score, 99% of the time he gets pinned down low and there's a scoring chance the other way. So his skating isn't even that useful.

[devo22]

Great contract too. Still RFA after next season.

Can't wait to see what Jokipakka can bring. The more I think of it, the more I think this deal was high way robbery. Also the Stars fans' reaction at HF is a pretty good indication, they were baffled and pissed whwn the trade details came out.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Hamhuis is the better 'defender', russell likely the better all-around player that could also be signed in the offseason.

Too many restrictions around Hamhuis in terms of his future, probably didn't do himself any favours publicly saying he'd like to come back to Vancouver.

If Russell has a good showing in Dallas this year they will re-sign him.

I could see that, especially being that hes on the right side of 30, but again, I think Russell will very likely regret not taking whatever Calgary's last contract offer was.

He could easily be re-signed by Dallas with a good stretch-drive and playoffs but he could just as easily become marginalized.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Liking Jokipakka the more I see and hear from him. Always had an affinity for a Finnish defender and he looks like a stereotypical one. Been playing 3rd pairing in Dallas but not a surprise. Should be interesting to see if he can be a steady two-way guy to line up next to Hamilton.

Looks like a late bloomer. Was passed over two times in the draft, then drafted at 19 in the very last round by Dallas.

All you've got to do is look around the league to see what NHL calibre defenders on ELCs are returning in trades to see how huge of a return this is for Calgary.

[druetetective]

Who else think this may make Wotherspoon a trade chip?

I think he loses his waiver status next year.

I can see Flames offering a package of Fla 2nd, Cgy 3rd, Wotherspoon and lesser of Carroll/Smith for Anderssonn

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by codynw

Russell is an incredible skater, that's easily one of his strengths.

I'll concede I never saw him chasing the wingers like Wideman but I never really noticed his skating, Brodie is an incredible skater. Either way his skating wasn't noticeable for me.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Locke

I could see that, especially being that hes on the right side of 30, but again, I think Russell will very likely regret not taking whatever Calgary's last contract offer was.

He could easily be re-signed by Dallas with a good stretch-drive and playoffs but he could just as easily become marginalized.

Doubt it. D-men are in short demand league wide. EVERY trade deadline and EVERY July 1st teams line up to overpay for d-men. Russell will get paid. In a world where guys like Andrew MacDonald get offered 5+million, guys like Matt Carle get 5.5million, Russell is going to get himself a nice hefty contract this summer.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Doubt it. D-men are in short demand league wide. EVERY trade deadline and EVERY July 1st teams line up to overpay for d-men. Russell will get paid by. In a world where guys like Andrew MacDonald get offered 5+million, guys like Matt Carle get 5.5million, Russell is going to get himself a nice hefty contract this summer.

Right...but those contracts are horrible boat anchors and lessons may have been learned.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Locke

Right...but those contracts are horrible boat anchors and lessons may have been learned.

You could say "lessons may have been learned" every summer but teams are still going to overpay for UFAs. When it comes down to it, will GMs try to improve their team for free in the UFA route? They surely will. Who wants to add a #4/5 defensemen for free? Lots of teams. Therefore Russell will get paid. Doesn't take many teams to be interested in him for a small bidding war to result.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

You could say "lessons may have been learned" every summer but teams are still going to overpay for UFAs. When it comes down to it, will GMs try to improve their team for free in the UFA route? They surely will. Who wants to add a #4/5 defensemen for free? Lots of teams. Therefore Russell will get paid. Doesn't take many teams to be interested in him for a small bidding war to result.

I wholeheartedly agree, but when I saw that $5.5M/6 number I did a spit-take with hot tea.

I hope he gets it. I hope I hate the team that gives it to him. Best of luck. I'm just glad it wont be us.

Unless he loved Calgary so much that we sign him as a UFA in the off-season...just hopefully for less money than that!

[heep223]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I'll concede I never saw him chasing the wingers like Wideman but I never really noticed his skating, Brodie is an incredible skater. Either way his skating wasn't noticeable for me.

Russell has his warts but skating is not one of them. His first three steps are elite, his quickness and pivots are excellent. That said he only has above average top speed. He also has pretty good stick and body positioning.

Kind of weird that you don't notice his skating tbh, watch his first three steps to get to loose pucks

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Russell looked faster last year IMO. I still think he's been hobbled a lot by injuries this year and it was affecting his game. Really looking back at Kris's career here we have no idea when he was ever healthy. Given his style of play it seems like he may have been playing injured the majority of the time he played here.

I think this is part the reason why coaches love Russell and some fans aren't sold. The coaches know when he was out there at 70% and gave it his all, and the fans just see the occasional mistake and don't know that he has a broken hand, or a groin pull, or w/e.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I'll concede I never saw him chasing the wingers like Wideman but I never really noticed his skating, Brodie is an incredible skater. Either way his skating wasn't noticeable for me.

Odd you think Wideman is the better skater.

Very odd to be honest.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by heep223

Russell has his warts but skating is not one of them. His first three steps are elite, his quickness and pivots are excellent. That said he only has above average top speed. He also has pretty good stick and body positioning.

Kind of weird that you don't notice his skating tbh, watch his first three steps to get to loose pucks

I just don't remember him ever really using skating to an advantage, if anything it masked his other deficiencies imo more than really benefitted the team. He just always seemed to be barely treading water and one mistake from catastrophe.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by AcGold

He just always seemed to be barely treading water and one mistake from catastrophe.

Well that's just not true.