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As I mentioned over Twitter last week, the Flames have been in discussion with 26 year old defenseman Kris Russell regarding contract extensions, and both parties have come to an agreement. Russell has signed a two year deal worth $5.2M, with an AAV of $2.6M.
Since being acquired from the St Louis Blues in exchange for a 5th round draft pick, Russell has been having a career year in terms of points production, as the defenseman currently sits at a comfortable 0.47ppg pace. Over his career so far and aside from this year, Russell has played at a 0.26ppg pace, however with the added ice time and responsibility with the Flames, Kris has really taken his game to another level.
It should go without saying that any player who signs an extension with the Flames are interested in sticking around for the rebuild. Calgary will need strong leadership and role models for their developing prospects, and Russell feels like he can not only help the team win, but also help them build.
“I think the core group is here,” Russell said. “We have a real competitive group. I see us doing good things in the future, and I want to be a part of it, so I’m glad we could get (a deal) done.”
As mentioned, Russell has been rewarded with more ice time with his strong play, and he feels that the added responsibility including time on the powerplay and penalty kill has allowed him to show that he’s a very capable player. And at 26 years old, Russell still has a lot of hockey left in him and can stand to learn a few things from his coaches as he looks to improve each passing year.
“I feel I can grow as a player here. As any player, that’s what you hope for — to be in a position to get better. I think Calgary is the place for me to do that.”
**
The Calgary Flames took to the ice on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers as they looked to extend upon their most recent wins.
That said, the Flyers are a team battling to stay in a playoff spot, and sitting ever so close to 8th place, they need to win as many games as possible as the season nears its end. With that established, both teams appeared focused and tried to play to their strengths. Calgary kept most rushes to the perimeter and would display a good, but not great, defensive game.
Despite both shot totals being rather close and chances going either way, neither team would be able to find the back of the net until around the midway mark of the second period when Brayden Schenn fired the puck over Reto Berra’s glove hand. Unfortunately for Berra, he could not get enough of the shot as he did make contact with the puck before it found its way past the goal line.
Looking to take the game, the Flyers would open the third period with another goal from a shot by Claude Giroux which deflected off Scott Hartnell and made its way past Berra.
"I don't know how it went in. I have to analyze that and see what happened exactly," Berra said. "It was a tough one. I have to watch the goal again, what happened exactly. Maybe I can do something there but overall I played a good game."
Not wanting to start their Olympic break on a bad note, Calgary would do their best to put up a goal of their own and would be rewarded after a snap shot by Matt Stajan beat Ray Emery and brought the Flames to one goal shy of the lead. Calgary continued their persistence in the third, outshooting the Flyers 14-8, but could not beat Ray Emery who had a solid night. In fact, both goalies played quite well as there were a few highlight reel saves on each side.
The Calgary Flames and the rest of the NHL are now on break for the Olympics until the 27th when they will face the Los Angeles Kings. For those of you who will be cheering on, don’t forget to keep an eye out for Reto Berra who was named to the Swiss Team, and Ladislav Smid who will be joining the Czech Team. Good luck boys!
I plan on keeping you guys updated on the Olympics (re: Flames) , in addition to what the rest of the group is doing to keep busy/active over the next two weeks or so. If you would like me to write about something in particular during this break, feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss it further!
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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