McKenzie: Is there any doubt Russell would at least get 5 yrs x $5.5 million as UFA?

[dino7c]

Flames need to lose Wideman badly

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Flames are still rebuilding. So you develop them or trade for young guys who will be there at the right time, at the right price. You don't overpay a guy because he's here right now.



And has been said, there are cheaper UFAs who I think can do Russell's job.

I agree with this, we should not make big commitment of years or $$ to Russell, which in practical terms means trading him now. My point is simply that I expect we will be as unhappy with his replacement from an on ice perspective (though personally in not as unhappy as others are)

[Split98]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames need to lose Wideman badly

It would do wonders...

Wideman: $5,250,000

Nakladal: $858,375 | Savings: $4,391,625
Wotherspoon: $971,250 | Savings: $4,278,750
Kulak : $656,667 | Savings: $4,593,333

This is assuming we don't get a mountain of cash back to do it...
...and that any of those 3 will be at least a lateral movement.

[White Out 403]

Russells possession metrics are horrible and have enough horrible for years. Whoever signs him for anywhere near 5 is basically burning money

[IgiTang]

Trade Russell, ride out Wideman's contract and park him on the 3rd pair if thats the worst case scenario, let him walk as a UFA in 2017.

2 guys should be ready to make the jump in over the next 2 years and boom.. Savings of almost $7M in Russell and Wideman.

Too easy. If you can trade him without taking garbage back that extends beyond the end of his current deal, perfect.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Just trade Russell already. Move on.

[sureLoss]

blackhawks blogger:

http://blackhawkup.com/2016/02/09/ch...-kris-russell/

Russell would be a great fit for the Blackhawks. He is a left-handed shot, has great speed, blocks shots and can play on the powerplay. Russell could pair with Trevor van Riemsdyk on the bottom pairing and play the right side. Now, like every player, Russell is not without his flaws. Russell is prone to mental lapses, he lacks size at 5-foot-10, 173 pounds and lacks consistency in the offensive zone.

Russell probably would cost the Blackhawks a second-round pick in 2017 and both their fourth-round picks or two prospects. The Flames organization lacks depth on the right wing, per Hockey Futures. The Blackhawks lack depth on the right wing as well, although Marko Dano is about NHL ready.

The Blackhawks might have to trade a center prospect who can play the wing, perhaps Luke Johnson.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Yes please. I will take Dano and their 2nd round pick for Kris Russell.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Yes please. I will take Dano and their 2nd round pick for Kris Russell.

That'd be insane if that happened!

Ryan Hartman seems more apt though. Mark McNeill is also someone to consider as well.

Ove could dream of a Ville Pokka or Mark Dano return but those two are future foundational players in my humble opinion.

[Street Pharmacist]

Marko Dano? Foundational player? Am I missing something?

[Vinny01]

Doesn't Hartman play a gritty game? Former late 1st round pick. I would swap Russell for him and maybe a late pick? Straight up?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

To answer Bob's question, yes. Yes there is doubt.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

An interesting question to McKenzie who has come up with the 5.5x5 expectation for Russell is:

Is Hartley the worst coach in the league?

Brodie at 4.6M is the lowest paid of the Flames top 5 d-men... ( Gio and Russell kicking in next year) and is #42 highest paid d-man.

There are 30 team in the league so rather than having 2 of the top 60 best d-men the Flames have 5!!!!

Who is under-performing their contracts? Hamilton, Gio, Brodie, Russell or Wideman.

Wideman is a given so that leaves 4 guys who are supposed to top-2 d-men.

BUT if it is not the individual d-men then the coach and the system needs to be looked at.

having a roster with what would have to be top 5 in the league on paper defense means that there is something else terribly wrong for a team to be in the bottom 3rd of the standings.

Every time I read one of your posts man.

[budblazer]

trade him to washington for there 1st

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames need to lose Wideman badly

Nah, they can get blown out without him.

Oh, wait. I thought you said, ‘Flames need Wideman to lose badly.’

I'll show myself out.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Haha no he absolutely should not. This is part of hockey job.

I can see his phone ringing off the hook from GM's giving insider news now that his second talent is telling the hockey world what the players are worth.

[Resolute 14]

Bad timing for Russell's agent to be getting his media buddies to feed this stuff to the public. Reports today that the league expects the salary cap to fall by up to $4 million.

Woe betide the team that offers Russell anywhere close to what his agent expects.

[Stay Golden]

I like Russells character on and off the ice but there is no way
I would want the Flames to pay Russell 5m a season.

[GB70]

The only league I see Russell playing in where he'd be worth 5 million + per season... is the KHL. Sadly I could see Edmonton being dumb enough to offer Russell 6 mill a season.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Bad timing for Russell's agent to be getting his media buddies to feed this stuff to the public. Reports today that the league expects the salary cap to fall by up to $4 million.

Woe betide the team that offers Russell anywhere close to what his agent expects.

Even if the cap was going to go up by $4 million, giving Russell $5M+ would be a bad deal.