Calgary Flames 5 Best Performers In November
By Luke Ryan
Say what you like about Kris Russell, he has played significantly better on the Calgary Flames blue line in November than he did in October.
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Russell has seemingly settled into a better routine and stronger defensive partnership; nothing on the level of his partnership with Mark Giordano last year, but he’s performing much more steadily now.
In November, this showed as he went from a downright dreadful -14 plus/minus score the previous month to a far healthier +4. It may leave him on a running season score of -10 but it’s a positive number at the very least.
On top of that, he’s finally managed to provide assists against stronger teams, notching up a pair across two games with the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks and another pair in the Calgary Flames 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
So, they weren’t game-changers but they certainly were against high calibre opposition and show that Kris can be a useful asset to the Calgary Flames organisation.
Possibly the biggest difference maker for him this month has been ice time that has trended down on the previous month. Spending less time on the ice has allowed him to skate that little bit harder when he is on the ice and Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley deserves dome credit for finally realising this.
The hope is certainly that Russell can continue the upwards trend in his game that has been on display in November.
Next: Number #4: Sam Bennett