If latest reports are to be believed, the Calgary Flames are finally nearing a trade partner to take on Kris Russell’s expiring contract.
Darren Dreger of TSN reported on Twitter that Russell has now been told by the Calgary Flames organisation that he is likely to be traded.
Kris Russell was informed yesterday he is likely to be traded. No surprise. Very strong market. Pitt and Bos frontrunners. #TradeCentre
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2016
As noted by Dreger, it isn’t really altogether that surprising, given the length and size of the deals already on the Calgary Flames blue-line.
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Between Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton; the Calgary Flames lock up decent money and contract length. Add to that the need to get new deals sorted for Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, and it’s understandable that the Calgary Flames seek to ship Kris Russell before he seeks a pay increase.
The Calgary Flames haven’t moved with any great speed on a decision, but as the trade deadline nears, the market should actually be better suited for any sort of deal.
The later they leave it, the more they may be able to score in return for Russell.
Related Story: Calgary Flames Fending Off Interest In Kris Russell
Given his early-season woes and the awful plus-minus score he was putting up, it’s been pleasantly surprising to see the improvement in Russell’s game as the Calgary Flames season has moved on.
Related Story: The Ongoing Woes Of Kris Russell
The next big question though is what will the Calgary Flames seek in return. More to the point, what will other teams look to offer in return?
Ideal world, the Calgary Flames will be able to nail some sort of package deal that ships Russell and Ladislav Smid or Dennis Wideman, but of course that’s highly unlikely and highly unbelievable.
More likely, the Calgary Flames are going to seek a draft pick or prospect and probably take on an average contract themselves to get any sort of deal done.
Related Story: Calgary Flames Potential Trade Deadline Deals
In assessing potential trade deadline deals, we saw the Dallas Stars as most likely to covet Russell; but Dreger reports it’s more likely the Boston Bruins or Pittsburgh Penguins in the running; both would need to shed a contract to take Russell on, but which player specifically remains a big unknown.
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Kris Russell knows to have his bags packed and be ready to leave at short notice. The Calgary Flames know what they want to recieve in return for him.
Roll on the trade; I for one, want to see how this pans out!
What do you think is a fair return for Kris Russell? Let us know in the comments section below.