Calgary Flames D Kris Russell: NHL Trade Deadline Profile

Calgary Flames D Kris Russell was selected 67th overall (3rd round) by Columbus back in 2005 from WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. He produced 177 points in 181 games over his final three years of junior.

He played for Columbus between 2007-08 and 2011-12. Russell was eventually traded to St.Louis 12 games into the 2011-12 season for Nikita Nikitin. Kris spent the next year and a half with the Blues (which included the 48-game lock-out shortened season). St.Louis traded him to Calgary in the summer of 2013 for a 5th round pick.

Since 2013-14, Calgary Flames D Kris Russell has appeared in 198 regular season games, producing 78 points. A late bloomer after years of slow development, Russell is one of the more underrated blueliners in the NHL. He’s capable of logging big minutes, and plays a tight defensive game.

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“Kris Russell an Attractive Free Agent Option” via Too Many Men,

Statistically speaking, there may be no other blueliner in the NHL more defensively involved in a game than Flames D Kris Russell. We’re talking about a guy who blocked 73 more shots (283 total) than the 2nd most in 2014-15 (Roman Josi – 209) while playing significantly less minutes per game. He also ranked 3rd in 2013-14 with 201 blocks – with only 68 games played.

Russell is a former third round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2005. After spending some time with Columbus, St.Louis, and now Calgary, the 28-year-old 5’10 170lbs defender is ready to hit the open market – and hopefully get that massive pay raise he deserves.

Feb 6, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell (4) controls the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

via Sportsnet,

Given his versatility and all he can bring to a club, he’ll undoubtedly have one of the biggest impacts of all those who change teams before March.

With the inflationary nature of deadline deals and the fact no one is in more demand at this time of year than defencemen, Russell should land the Flames a late first round pick or a top prospect.

As the son of a bullfighter who owns the NHL record for blocked shots, the 28-year-old junior stud comes armed with endless character and talent. The quiet blue-liner is revered in the dressing room, plays the powerplay, kills penalties and was the Flames best player in last year’s first round win over Vancouver.

The Flames would dearly love to keep Russell but the team and Russell’s agent are $1.5 million apart on what his annual take would be. On the open market this summer the unrestricted free agent is destined for a deal similar to the six-year, $33 million deals ($5.5 million annually) signed by Jeff Petry and Andrej Sekara. Russell’s numbers dwarf those of both players.

Calgary Flames D Kris Russell is currently in the second year of a two-year contract, which carries a $2.6 million dollar cap hit.

Best Fits:

Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks

Hypothetical Trade:

Calgary Flames D Kris Russell and F Mason Raymond to Pittsburgh for G Matt Murray and a 2016 2nd round pick (originally Anaheim’s)

*Calgary would retain part of Raymond’s salary (upwards of half)

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