[Rumour] Flames closing in on extension with Russell (R.Millons)

[Husky]

I hope the flames throw mad coin at Girardi. Something like 20 million 4 years. He'd compliment gio nicely. As long as we can trade wideman.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

People talking about 3.5/4 mil a year for Russell?

He's had a good half season and was on waivers last year and went unclaimed. He needs a bridge contract to prove something. 2.5 max

While I would be happy for some form of a bridge contract, the fact is that Russell is a UFA, so I think he will have more leverage than you generally see with bridge contracts. My guess would be 3 years at just under $3mm.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Husky

I hope the flames throw mad coin at Girardi. Something like 20 million 4 years. He'd compliment gio nicely. As long as we can trade wideman.

He will get more than that from a contender I think.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

He will get more than that from a contender I think the Flyers.

Fixed.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

He will get more than that from a contender I think.

He should also be able to get a 5-6 year term as well. Wideman got 5 years at 5.25. So what's being suggested is that the Flames can save 250k in cap a year and swap out Girardi for Wideman....no chance that happens.

As for Russel, tough valuation to come up with. He has played well this year but I think league wide he's more of a 5-7 defenceman depending on the team. Still a UFA defenceman his age who can play that role still can get 3 million a year.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by codynw

Fixed.

Not sure what Philly's cap space situation is going to look like but we could match any offer from any team. So no reason to be getting outbid... Contender or wild spender or not.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Husky

I hope the flames throw mad coin at Girardi. Something like 20 million 4 years. He'd compliment gio nicely. As long as we can trade wideman.

If the Flames wanted to attract Girardi, it would probably take something more like 6 x 6. Maybe 6.5 x 6.

Too much for him, but that's the nature of free agency.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by saillias

Not sure what Philly's cap space situation is going to look like but we could match any offer from any team. So no reason to be getting outbid... Contender or wild spender or not.

If he goes to UFA Philly is going to try to overpay him. That's just how that team seems to do things. Not saying he'll sign, but Philly will almost certainly try.

[steveo]

MOD EDIT: No insults please.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Surprised so many still value that HF poster's analysis enough to read it and quote him. What a derail. Wish more people would put him on ignore, he's unbearable this year.

Back to Russell.

He's our best skating defenseman, our best puck moving defensemen right up there with Brodie, and one of our best powerplay defensemen. I actually didn't like the trade this summer as I'm with Burke and have a bit of a size obsession. That said Russell has been the biggest surprise this season and is definitely worth re-signing long term. We are watching his break out year IMO. I don't see this as an abberation. Defensemen take longer to mature and he's just heading into his prime right now. Great person to lock up.

As for the composition of the defense, obviously we are still too average in size. Wideman has the best shot on the team and is our only rightie but I wouldn't hesistate to move him to a contender if Burke can get good value. I'd be looking to move him first. If Brodie has to be packaged up to get our next superstar then so be it but hopefully Burke is demanding a lot for him. Butler I think we trade at the deadline. Ideally you keep all of Gio, Brodie and Russell but you'd have to surround them with some beef. Ekblad would look really nice in that mix.

Love that we're hearing extension, I was a tad worried Burke might underrate Russell due to his size but I think he's seen what most of us have seen, that Russell is a real driving player for us in the puck transition game and on offense. Don't understand at all those who didn't want us to re-sign him.

[Badgers Nose]

Signed guys are worth more than UFA and RFA players it seems. A contract in no way guarantees he will be here next year.

But I like Russell and hopes he signs and stays.

[SuperMatt18]

I think Burke does put an emphasis on size, but I think he also puts an emphasis on speed.

Looking at the smaller players Burke has given a chance to throughout his time as GM in his various stops they all played with speed.

If you are going to be small you better be fast. Russell and Byron fit that bill and Burke does not seem to have an issue with them, but I think an issue that this team has had the last two years is that we were small but didn't make up for it with speed.

[Fire]

I hope this ends the worrying (ahem Ashasx) about Burke not willing to sign small guys.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Surprised so many still value that HF poster's analysis enough to read it and quote him. What a derail. Wish more people would put him on ignore, he's unbearable this year.

Back to Russell.

He's our best skating defenseman, our best puck moving defensemen right up there with Brodie, and one of our best powerplay defensemen. I actually didn't like the trade this summer as I'm with Burke and have a bit of a size obsession. That said Russell has been the biggest surprise this season and is definitely worth re-signing long term. We are watching his break out year IMO. I don't see this as an abberation. Defensemen take longer to mature and he's just heading into his prime right now. Great person to lock up.

As for the composition of the defense, obviously we are still too average in size. Wideman has the best shot on the team and is our only rightie but I wouldn't hesistate to move him to a contender if Burke can get good value. I'd be looking to move him first. If Brodie has to be packaged up to get our next superstar then so be it but hopefully Burke is demanding a lot for him. Butler I think we trade at the deadline. Ideally you keep all of Gio, Brodie and Russell but you'd have to surround them with some beef. Ekblad would look really nice in that mix.

Love that we're hearing extension, I was a tad worried Burke might underrate Russell due to his size but I think he's seen what most of us have seen, that Russell is a real driving player for us in the puck transition game and on offense. Don't understand at all those who didn't want us to re-sign him.

I agree on most points. I think the Flames are set on the left side with Gio, Russell and Brodie, a good mix of age in that grouping as well. Flames clearly need RH D bad. Wideman is a decent filler but I think he can be moved to a contender as well. If hes moved the Flames need a big shot D back somehow, whether through trade or drafting.

Giordano - Girardi
Brodie - Ekblad
Russell - Smid

Change the pairing however you want but I think that's a quality top 6.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Husky

I hope the flames throw mad coin at Girardi. Something like 20 million 4 years. He'd compliment gio nicely. As long as we can trade wideman.

Read that as Galiardi and was very confused.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Read that as Galiardi and was very confused.

Same!

[SuperMatt18]

Girardi worries me for any sort of long term contract.

He plays tough minutes, but will be 30 after this season, and we have seen in the past that those stay at home d-men hit the wall much quicker and can decline quickly once they do (Regehr, Sarich, Komisarek, etc) .

3 or 4 years and you are probably alright, but he strikes me as a name that will command a 7 year max contract as a UFA though.

[Nabber]

I was hoping for an extension for Russell, just don't feel he'd get anything more than a second on the trade market. Maybe a second and a B prospect, but I'd say he's worth more to the team as he's still young and could fit in long term. Anything over 3 million IMO is an overpayment. I'd be really happy with something like 3 years 2.5/2.75 per year.

[Matt Reeeeead]

I have been a fan of Russell since his days inthe Hat.... and have been quite happy with his development this year especially seeing him live so much. Was hoping my Flyers might make a move for him at the deadline to steady the D core (we could use his speed back there)... guess it's not in the cards! Still means I get to watch him live for the next few years...

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Husky

I hope the flames throw mad coin at Girardi. Something like 20 million 4 years. He'd compliment gio nicely. As long as we can trade wideman.

Same... although your definition of mad coin seems low. Girardi will get more $$ and years then that. He won't get Phaneaf money from a contender but he won't come cheap either.

I'm still in favor of the team doing it though... defensemen take longer then forwards to put it all together and the guys we have in the pipeline now are lacking (IMO) so why not compile a solid defense core of vets (+ Brodie) that we can suppliment with what guys do end up coming through the pipeline. Plus we need to spend to make the cap and I have no issue with spending that dough on the D.