NHL Free Agents: Kris Russell - Rumors, Best Fits

NHL Free Agents Kris Russell: Latest Rumors, FA Profile, 5 Best Fits

One of the top defensive NHL free agents this summer is Dallas Stars late rental addition Kris Russell.

It doesn’t look like Jim Nill will be able to re-sign all four of his UFA defenseman, and with names such as Brian Campbell and Alex Goligoski who could still earn a new contract before July 1, Russell could among the top d-men available in free agency.

He sometimes takes criticism for the way he plays; perhaps it’s his offensive-minded small stature on the blueline. After all, defensive skills go out the window when you have a 233 pound Milan Lucic in a puck battle behind the net with a 5’10 170lbs Kris Russell.

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Russell makes up for those shortcomings in many other ways though.

Just look at the minutes he’s played over the past few years (around 18-21 minutes/night approx. averaged out), yet still he still manages to either lead in blocked shots, or among the leaders. Those other defenders among the leaders play more minutes than Russell – realistically, there’s no player in the NHL that blocks pucks more frequently than Kris Russell.

He’s also a well above average skater, plays smart, and knows when to join the rush. Kris also makes a solid first pass out of the defensive zone – he sees the game well in front of him.

Russell, 29, was originally taken 67th overall (3rd round) back in 2005 by Columbus. He would stay in junior for the next two years, and wore the “C” for WHL Medicine Hat in ’05-’06 and ’06-’07. He also represented Team Canada at the World Juniors both years.

Kris managed to avoid AHL development immediately cracking the Blue Jackets roster out of training camp in 2007-08.

He spent the better half of the next four seasons in Columbus before being traded to St.Louis 12 games into the 2011-12 season. Russell would spend one more year with the Blues (during the lock-out shortened season), and then joined Calgary in 2013-14.

After spending the better half of the next three seasons with the Flames, Kris Russell, as we know, was flipped to Dallas at the trade deadline.

He had four assists in 11 regular season games, adding four more helpers in 12 postseason contests for the Stars in 2016.

Having just completed his 9th NHL season, Russell has accumulated 38 goals, 139 assists (177 points) over 573 career regular season games. He also has three goals, 13 assists (16 points) in 36 playoff contests.

Kris Russell’s Resume:

– WHL Champion (Medicine Hat Tigers) – 2003-04
– WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player – 2004-05
– CHL Second All-Star Team, CHL Sportsman of the Year, WHL First All-Star Team, WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player, WHL Top Defenseman – 2005-06
– CHL Defenseman of the Year, CHL First All-Star Team, WHL Champion (Medicine Hat), WHL Player of the Year, WHL Top Defenseman – 2006-07
– Two World Juniors (Team Canada) Appearances – 2006 and 2007
– Two World Hockey Championship Appearances – 2010 and 2012

NHL Free Agents: Kris Russell Rumors/Speculation

via Sportsnet,

Russell priced himself out of Calgary this year and is the type of defenceman the offence-first Stars would be wise to retain. Dallas also expressed interest in Vancouver’s Dan Hamhuis, a pending UFA, at the trade deadline.

Dallas GM Jim Nill is set to lose three of his best four D-men to free agency. He won’t be able to keep them all.

If Jim Nill is feeling the salary cap crunch, efforts should be focused on retaining Alex Goligoski and Kris Russell. Jason Demers and Jordie Benn would be unfortunate losses (if need be), but more easily replaceable.

Potential Contract for Kris Russell

The salary cap might not be increasing much, but average salaries still tend to grow every offseason.