[Rumour] The Kris Russell Sweepstakes Continue - UPDATE: Oilers offer 1-year deal?

[calgaryblood]

The offers probably suck. Sure 8 teams might be offering him something but I doubt it's anything longer than 2 years and $7 million total.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

The offers probably suck. Sure 8 teams might be offering him something but I doubt it's anything longer than 2 years and $7 million total.

If hes got a 2-year $7M deal on the table he should be hanging onto that like grim death. He should be signing that in his own blood.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Locke

If hes got a 2-year $7M deal on the table he should be hanging onto that like grim death. He should be signing that in his own blood.

Of course he should but I think he's still expecting a 5x5.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Of course he should but I think he's still expecting a 5x5.

Let's give the guy (and his presumably professional agent) some credit.

[N-E-B]

Put me in the camp who thinks he's holding out hope for the Flames. He's still a very serviceable #5 defenseman who can play on your 2nd pairing and power play if needed. There has to be interest in him, I think it's him that's delaying this.

[Robbob]

I agree. Sometime location trumps $$$. Don't know him, but.i get the sense he would leave money on the table if it meant the perfect fit for family. As a ufa it really is his choice.

[MRCboicgy]

I still think the hesitation to sign him to anything beyond a year was due to Vegas. I don't think any team would want to have to protect Russell in the expansion draft. and I'm sure after having a very solid couple of years, KR felt he deserved a bit of protection.

[Bingo]

What I love in that article is McKenzie calling Davidson a bottom pairing guy, when the whole of Edmonton has him "core" now

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What I love in that article is McKenzie calling Davidson a bottom pairing guy, when the whole of Edmonton has him "core" now

I don't wonder if he'll "Josh Jooris" it, too. Seems like those career minor league guys who come out of nowhere to look like NHL players for half a season or a season often regress to the mean thereafter.

[Young_Guns]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Source?

TSN’s Bob McKenzie talking to local TSN radio announcer TSN Dustin Nielson, who tweeted last night that Edmonton Oilers are in talks with free agent d-man Kris Russell. Said McKenzie: “I think he probably would be a decent fit for the Oilers, especially on a short term deal. That is obviously the key. It’s not an absolute given, but I won’t be surprised when Kris Russell signs a contract that he signs a one-year deal. I’m just guessing here, and it is that, a guess, I got to figure it’s probably going to be worth somewhere between $4 and 5 million a year.

http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/ho...kenzie-reports

[GioforPM]

$4-5 million is crazy money for Russell.

[Young_Guns]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

$4-5 million is crazy money for Russell.

Agreed, 2.5 - 3 million is more reasonable. But in EDM he could be their #2 or #3 guy so they may pay him like it.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'll refute you on that.

Good defensive play is not always the cause of possession. Russell's not the best at protecting the puck in the defensive zone, but he's excellent at breaking up plays with his stick and -- as we know all too well -- his body. To call him HORRIBLE in the D-zone is a slight to other far worse defensemen. He's no Andy Wozniewski.

The only time he breaks up plays with his stick is when a shot misses his body and hits his stick....usually the result of his failure to actually breakup a play and clear the zone in the first place.

But I'm sure he's a great guy.

[wired]

Originally Posted by Bingo

What I love in that article is McKenzie calling Davidson a bottom pairing guy, when the whole of Edmonton has him "core" now

Not sure about that. The guys I talk hockey with seem to think Edmonton has and AHL calibre defence. And they proudly wear oilers gear.
So painful to be around that logo all the time.

[TKB]

Originally Posted by wired

Not sure about that. The guys I talk hockey with seem to think Edmonton has and AHL calibre defence. And they proudly wear oilers gear.
So painful to be around that logo all the time.

I've never heard anyone say Davidson is part of the "core" in fact myself included look at him currently as a bottom pairing guy. This could change if he continues to trend up but I have my doubts he will be anything more then a #5.

[stang]

Originally Posted by TKB

I've never heard anyone say Davidson is part of the "core" in fact myself included look at him currently as a bottom pairing guy. This could change if he continues to trend up but I have my doubts he will be anything more then a #5.

As stands I see him as a 5... Maybe a 4

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

There's no real risk on a 1 year deal signed in September, honestly. Just a question of whether there's any upside on it that would allow him to be flipped at the deadline if need be. He's an NHL d-man, and that's enough to make him useful to Edmonton.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Re: Stang

That's where I see him right now too, a 4/5. He had a few stretches last season that impressed me, but he needs more consistency. A few inches taller wouldn't hurt either.

[stang]

Klefbom - Larsson
Sekera - Fayne
Nurse - Davidson
Gryba


That's how I see it playing out

[calgaryblood]

That is an awful defence core, wow.