[News] Flames begin contract negotiations with Russell

[Enoch Root]

I think Russell knows what he is (a 4/5 guy) and also wants to be here.

With Brodie sitting at $4.6M, that helps define him in the $3 - 3.5M area.

And I agree that Wideman is a) easier to replace and b) offers much more savings re the cap.

[Stay Golden]

I don't think Russell will be difficult to netgotiate with if the Flames give him fair 2nd line D 4-5 money. 2.5-3.5 m per.
The guy sure gives his coach and teammates everything he can.

[Vulcan]

I wouldn't pay him more than the $2.6M he currently makes. The top players are going to get the big money at the cost of the middle of the road players. Russell is okay but he can be replaced by a prospect or cheap UFA.

[The Yen Man]

Eric Francis was on with Rob Kerr on Friday, and he was proclaiming how Russell is worth 5-6M on the open market. I want to know what Francis is smoking pulling that one out of his rear. Think he used Klefbom as a benchmark lol.

[goflamesgo18]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I wouldn't pay him more than the $2.6M he currently makes. The top players are going to get the big money at the cost of the middle of the road players. Russell is okay but he can be replaced by a prospect or cheap UFA.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I wouldn't pay him more than the $2.6M he currently makes. The top players are going to get the big money at the cost of the middle of the road players. Russell is okay but he can be replaced by a prospect or cheap UFA.

Sorry but it isn't possible to replace top 4 defensemen as easily as you suggest.

[goflamesgo18]

Russell was the Flames MVP after Gio went down. He deserves same contract as Brodie.

[neo45]

I would have no problem with 20 million dollars over 5 or 6 years for this guy. I have liked him since the world juniors. I also love how so many people, including myself, had counted him out when St Louis gave up on him and he bounced back

[herashak]

4 years 14 million

[YYC in LAX]

Originally Posted by goflamesgo18

Russell was the Flames MVP after Gio went down. HNo he doesn't. Huge Kris Russell fan but he should absolutely not e deserves same contract as Brodie.

Disagree that he should get Brodie's contract. That's $1.5M/year too high IMO.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Sorry but it isn't possible to replace top 4 defensemen as easily as you suggest.

I don't think he's a top 4 defenceman, I'd put him at a top 5. In a years' time, I'd be happy with Kulak taking his spot.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't think he's a top 4 defenceman, I'd put him at a top 5. In a years' time, I'd be happy with Kulak taking his spot.

Russell averaged 23:56 a game, so 24 mins. Russell had 283 blocked shots to least the entire league, 2nd place had 209. Which #5-6 defenseman on playoff teams in this league average 24 mins a game? None, that doesn't make any sense does it.

You'd have to be living in a pretty bizarro world for that to not represent a top 4 defenseman. You're selling him very, very, very short. I'm surprised anybody would attempt to claim he's not a top 4 defenseman, that's just silly. His play last year was easily that of a top 3-4 d-man. He looked like a top 4 defenseman, he performed like a top 4 d-man, he was utilized as a top 4 d-man. So yeah, he's a top 4 d-man quite easily.

Yes, that does mean the Flames have 5 d-men who are top 4, that's how you become good and be able to win through injuries.

[Imported_Aussie]

If Giordano makes 6.75
And Hamilton makes 5.75
And Brodie makes 4.65
Should Russell make 3.5-3.75?

4 years 14M?
3 years 11M?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Russell averaged 23:56 a game, so 24 mins. Russell had 283 blocked shots to least the entire league, 2nd place had 209. Which #5-6 defenseman on playoff teams in this league average 24 mins a game? None, that doesn't make any sense does it.

You'd have to be living in a pretty bizarro world for that to not represent a top 4 defenseman. You're selling him very, very, very short. I'm surprised anybody would attempt to claim he's not a top 4 defenseman, that's just silly. His play last year was easily that of a top 3-4 d-man. He looked like a top 4 defenseman, he performed like a top 4 d-man, he was utilized as a top 4 d-man. So yeah, he's a top 4 d-man quite easily.

Yes, that does mean the Flames have 5 d-men who are top 4, that's how you become good and be able to win through injuries.

He was a top 4 last season on this team but he has some serious liabilities size wise. Yeah for a defenceman he is very, very, very short. He can't handle the big forwards with their cycle which was demonstrated against the Ducks and as has already been discussed there is a reason he needed to block so many shots. With the Hamilton acquisition he's only top 5 now and we don't need to pay a top 5 top 4 money or we'll get in serious cap trouble.

One thing our current management has been doing is overpaying some middling vets such as Raymond and Stajan. We don't want to make the same mistake with Russell as cap management is changing towards paying the stars top money while the rest get closer to the minimum. We saw this off season play out with middling UFA players having to sign for much less than previously or even get a contract and this trend will continue.

[goflamesgo18]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He was a top 4 last season on this team but he has some serious liabilities size wise. Yeah for a defenceman he is very, very, very short. He can't handle the big forwards with their cycle which was demonstrated against the Ducks and as has already been discussed there is a reason he needed to block so many shots. With the Hamilton acquisition he's only top 5 now and we don't need to pay a top 5 top 4 money or we'll get in serious cap trouble.

One thing our current management has been doing is overpaying some middling vets such as Raymond and Stajan. We don't want to make the same mistake with Russell as cap management is changing towards paying the stars top money while the rest get closer to the minimum. We saw this off season play out with middling UFA players having to sign for much less than previously or even get a contract and this trend will continue.

He had the best plus/minus on the team last year, playing mostly against other teams top lines. He's able to use his speed, skating, and high IQ to his advantage.

He is also 28 years old just entering his prime.

Don't know what you are smoking. This team would be a lot worse without him.

[Strange Brew]

I am a little concerned the Flames may be sinking too much of their $'s in the defense corps.

I hope these teams that will be so willing to take on our bad contracts start identifying themselves soon.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I am a little concerned the Flames may be sinking too much of their $'s in the defense corps.

I hope these teams that will be so willing to take on our bad contracts start identifying themselves soon.

The writing is clearly on the wall for Wideman. Whatever Russell makes next year will be significantly less than Wideman's current salary, and that's whose dollars he is taking IMO. We may actually have a cheaper defense next year.

Russell is not the problem, Smid and Engelland are.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

He was a top 4 last season on this team but he has some serious liabilities size wise. Yeah for a defenceman he is very, very, very short. He can't handle the big forwards with their cycle which was demonstrated against the Ducks and as has already been discussed there is a reason he needed to block so many shots. With the Hamilton acquisition he's only top 5 now and we don't need to pay a top 5 top 4 money or we'll get in serious cap trouble.


One thing our current management has been doing is overpaying some middling vets such as Raymond and Stajan. We don't want to make the same mistake with Russell as cap management is changing towards paying the stars top money while the rest get closer to the minimum. We saw this off season play out with middling UFA players having to sign for much less than previously or even get a contract and this trend will continue.

Funny you say he was a liability because of his size and make a point of emphasis against Anaheim but the reality is most defenseman in the NHL, regardless of size has trouble against the ducks.

[Yanda]

I would rather give Russell the extra 1.5 Mil to retain him for a few years than having to play Wotherspoon or Morrison. I think we can get him signed for under 4 Mil a season, and maybe as low as 3.

[Caged Great]

All I am hoping for is for the Flames to be able to find suitors for Smid and Engelland between now and this time next year so that they can put Kulak and one of Morrison/Wotherspoon in full time.