As I mentioned the other day, he's among the leaders in a number of defensive categories (HDSC%, shot distance, shot attempts % among them) but has had really unlucky results (PDO in the low 90s iirc). He's a good bottom pairing player being dropped into our laps. At worst, he's a great #7 and better than Gryba.
- MaximumBone

I don't agree. We will see I guess. Montreal tried to trade him and couldn't even get a pick for him. What makes you think he will not regress from what we saw last year? We all know many others on the team have.

Its a waste of a contract to me and just forces more guys down to Bakersfield.

A #7 dman is not our problem.

- EdmHockeyMan

- laughs2907

Exactly!

Exactly!
- Wildschwein

I just found a gif of Jean-Claude Van Damme punching Nurse's penis.

I just found a gif of Jean-Claude Van Damme punching Nurse's penis.


- laughs2907

And the ensuing infection pretty much ended Van Damme’s acting career. Guy can only get gigs doing Volvo commercials now.

There is a lesson to be learned here.

I don't agree. We will see I guess. Montreal tried to trade him and couldn't even get a pick for him. What makes you think he will not regress from what we saw last year? We all know many others on the team have.

Its a waste of a contract to me and just forces more guys down to Bakersfield.

A #7 dman is not our problem.
- Iggysbff

Considering how many in here were outraged when we traded him for Desharnais (who produced what we needed and more), I'm surprised that there isn't a more positive feeling.

Listen, I'm not saying he's amazing or that he's gonna fix our blueline, but a low event blueliner is a great compliment to our other #7 (Auvitu) and gives us more options. Maybe it doesn't do it, but as long as it pushes Gryba down I'm happy.

Considering how many in here were outraged when we traded him for Desharnais (who produced what we needed and more), I'm surprised that there isn't a more positive feeling.

Listen, I'm not saying he's amazing or that he's gonna fix our blueline, but a low event blueliner is a great compliment to our other #7 (Auvitu) and gives us more options. Maybe it doesn't do it, but as long as it pushes Gryba down I'm happy.
- MaximumBone

Hit the nail on the head Brother Bone.

Considering how many in here were outraged when we traded him for Desharnais (who produced what we needed and more), I'm surprised that there isn't a more positive feeling.

Listen, I'm not saying he's amazing or that he's gonna fix our blueline, but a low event blueliner is a great compliment to our other #7 (Auvitu) and gives us more options. Maybe it doesn't do it, but as long as it pushes Gryba down I'm happy.
- MaximumBone

As am I. Glad to have him back.

Now only if we can find a way to trade Russell and send Gryba to the AHL.

If that were to happen, our ideal pairings would look like.

Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Sekera
Davidson-Benning
Auvitu

Not bad at all.

Regardless, good post.

As am I. Glad to have him back.

Now only if we can find a way to trade Russell and send Gryba to the AHL.


If that were to happen, our ideal pairing would look like.

Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Sekera
Davidson-Benning
Auvitu

Not bad at all.

Regardless, good post.
- EdmHockeyMan

Davy should be a good partner for Benning. Steady defense and a harder shot to go along with good metrics should mesh well with the smoother, pass-n-wrister game Benning has going. Should give him space to step up once in a while, too!

I'd sooner see Klef back with Larsson and give Nurse another shot with Sekera. He's been carrying Russell well so he can make a LHD pairing work.

Davy should be a good partner for Benning. Steady defense and a harder shot to go along with good metrics should mesh well with the smoother, pass-n-wrister game Benning has going. Should give him space to step up once in a while, too!

I'd sooner see Klef back with Larsson and give Nurse another shot with Sekera. He's been carrying Russell well so he can make a LHD pairing work.
- MaximumBone

They looked great together when they played together last year if I am not mistaken. They definitely solidified into what I thought was a great bottom pairing.

Regardless, the first paragraph is spot on. Can't really add anything to it.

As for the the whole Klefbom/Larsson/Sekera/Nurse thing, it's tough to say. I'm really loving the Nurse-Larsson pairing and I don't want to break that up just yet (or negate that option as an ideal one). They truly have been one of our better pairings this season when put together and Nurse has shown heaps of development (of which I think that Larsson has played a part in).

Klefbom seems like he just needs some time to figure out his sh!t (xD) and I think it would do him justice to play on the 2nd pairing and get "easier" minutes. It would help him gain some confidence in his abilities and also help sooth his tempo (help him find his mojo). Couple that with Sekera just returning (needs some time to shake of the rust I assume), it makes the most sense, at least to me.

Nonetheless, Sekera returning, coupled with the pickup of Davidson gives McL some great options to explore as the season goes. As the season goes by, adjustments can be made accordingly.

And the ensuing infection pretty much ended Van Damme’s acting career. Guy can only get gigs doing Volvo commercials now.

There is a lesson to be learned here.
- Wildschwein

This is when he found out he had the infection.

As am I. Glad to have him back.

Now only if we can find a way to trade Russell and send Gryba to the AHL.

If that were to happen, our ideal pairings would look like.

Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Sekera
Davidson-Benning
Auvitu

Not bad at all.

Regardless, good post.
- EdmHockeyMan

Dahlin - Lord Larsson
Klefbom - Sekera
Nurse - Russell/Benning

They’ve got to beg someone to take russel off our hands. Really need to ditch that contract (and the player)

Russel and a 3rd to Vegas for a 4th?

Remember, russels contract represents negative value, so we wouldn’t getting anything of real value back. And we’d prob have to sweeten the pot.

And of course beg russel to accept because we gave him a fuking no trade. Kris fukin russel got a no trade!

Davidson/ auvitu as our 6/7 is fine. Keep gryba just in case.

Dahlin - Lord Larsson
Klefbom - Sekera
Nurse - Russell/Benning
- laughs2907

Still persistent about us drafting Dahlin?

Oh, how I wish the hockey gods would give us one more 1st overall draft pick.

They’ve got to beg someone to take russel off our hands. Really need to ditch that contract (and the player)

Russel and a 3rd to Vegas for a 4th?

Remember, russels contract represents negative value, so we wouldn’t getting anything of real value back. And we’d prob have to sweeten the pot.

And of course beg russel to accept because we gave him a fuking no trade. Kris fukin russel got a no trade!

Davidson/ auvitu as our 6/7 is fine. Keep gryba just in case.
- HB77

If only it were that easy.

What about Arizona? Pretty sure they have more than enough Cap space to take on Russell and unlike LV, they aren't really in the running to get into the playoffs.

If only it were that easy.

What about Arizona? Pretty sure they have more than enough Cap space to take on Russell and unlike LV, they aren't really in the running to get into the playoffs.
- EdmHockeyMan

Arizona- whose GM is probably the biggest proponent of the very stats that list Russell as an AHL player- would have no interest. Especially as they seem to trying to win now. Our only real options are Vegas (possible), Detroit (Holland) or maybe MAYBE Ottawa if Boucher likes Russell's shot blocking prowess enough to convince Dorion to move for him (with cap withheld, I imagine). Either way, it's more than likely costing us at least a 2nd if the aim is to move him.

The alternative involves moving Sekera for a solid return once the team is confident that a top-4 of Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse and Benning can hold their own. Russell could be a manageable contract for another 2 years (the length of Benning's likely-bridge deal) under those specific circumstances. Something like:

Nurse (4.5 for 7)- Larsson (4.1)
Klefbom (4.1)- Benning (2.2 for 2)
Russell (4)- Davidson (1.1)
Gryba/Auvitu (900k), Simpson, Jones and Bear

While not ideal, the return from a Sekera trade and the retained asset(s) from not trading Russell could make it worth it.

This having been said, I think it'd be folly to pursue this route when the goal should be pushing for a Cup; trading Sekera moves us farther from that result. Better to either find a taker without too much cost (even if it takes withholding 1mil for the duration) and keeping the good Dmen or live with the cap hit and then buy him out after next year (less than ideal).

Arizona- whose GM is probably the biggest proponent of the very stats that list Russell as an AHL player- would have no interest. Especially as they seem to trying to win now. Our only real options are Vegas (possible), Detroit (Holland) or maybe MAYBE Ottawa if Boucher likes Russell's shot blocking prowess enough to convince Dorion to move for him (with cap withheld, I imagine). Either way, it's more than likely costing us at least a 2nd if the aim is to move him.

The alternative involves moving Sekera for a solid return once the team is confident that a top-4 of Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse and Benning can hold their own. Russell could be a manageable contract for another 2 years (the length of Benning's likely-bridge deal) under those specific circumstances. Something like:

Nurse (4.5 for 7)- Larsson (4.1)
Klefbom (4.1)- Benning (2.2 for 2)
Russell (4)- Davidson (1.1)
Gryba/Auvitu (900k), Simpson, Jones and Bear

While not ideal, the return from a Sekera trade and the retained asset(s) from not trading Russell could make it worth it.

This having been said, I think it'd be folly to pursue this route when the goal should be pushing for a Cup; trading Sekera moves us farther from that result. Better to either find a taker without too much cost (even if it takes withholding 1mil for the duration) and keeping the good Dmen or live with the cap hit and then buy him out after next year (less than ideal).
- MaximumBone

Dreams.

Sekera and Russell both have NMC's. Neither are going anywhere.

Todd Mclellan was talking to you directly, the ultimate analytics nerd. Like the coach, I don't think Russell is the problem. I'm not sure what exactly IS the problem! haha but I don't think it's him.

Arizona- whose GM is probably the biggest proponent of the very stats that list Russell as an AHL player- would have no interest. Especially as they seem to trying to win now. Our only real options are Vegas (possible), Detroit (Holland) or maybe MAYBE Ottawa if Boucher likes Russell's shot blocking prowess enough to convince Dorion to move for him (with cap withheld, I imagine). Either way, it's more than likely costing us at least a 2nd if the aim is to move him.

The alternative involves moving Sekera for a solid return once the team is confident that a top-4 of Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse and Benning can hold their own. Russell could be a manageable contract for another 2 years (the length of Benning's likely-bridge deal) under those specific circumstances. Something like:

Nurse (4.5 for 7)- Larsson (4.1)
Klefbom (4.1)- Benning (2.2 for 2)
Russell (4)- Davidson (1.1)
Gryba/Auvitu (900k), Simpson, Jones and Bear

While not ideal, the return from a Sekera trade and the retained asset(s) from not trading Russell could make it worth it.

This having been said, I think it'd be folly to pursue this route when the goal should be pushing for a Cup; trading Sekera moves us farther from that result. Better to either find a taker without too much cost (even if it takes withholding 1mil for the duration) and keeping the good Dmen or live with the cap hit and then buy him out after next year (less than ideal).
- MaximumBone

Folly indeed. Trading Russell now is the better option. If its with Detroit, that Helm/Russell idea is a pretty good one. As for Ottawa, what kind of deal would we be looking at with them?

Todd Mclellan was talking to you directly, the ultimate analytics nerd. Like the coach, I don't think Russell is the problem. I'm not sure what exactly IS the problem! haha but I don't think it's him.
- JLO961

I certainly wouldn't say that he's THE problem, but his play has been a bit difficult to defend lately. He's been tasked with less responsibility this season than last so it's good to see an increase in offense out of him and the team is outscoring at 5-on-5 when he's on the ice. He's had his part to play in the PK's struggles, but I'd be wrong to suggest it's all on him; the entire team is (frank)ing that up.

However, the issue all comes down to the contract. If he was being paid 2.5 or even 3mil, I don't think it's as much of an issue.

Dreams.

Sekera and Russell both have NMC's. Neither are going anywhere.
- Iggysbff

Folly indeed. Trading Russell now is the better option. If its with Detroit, that Helm/Russell idea is a pretty good one. As for Ottawa, what kind of deal would we be looking at with them?
- EdmHockeyMan

Withholding 1 to 1.5mil for all 4 years and giving them a 3rd or 4th, probably. That's only in the event that Boucher sees a fit and can convince his GM to grab him.

Dreams.

Sekera and Russell both have NMC's. Neither are going anywhere.
- Iggysbff

This isn't new information. Dreaming is just about everything we do here, Iggnog. Keep up!

Withholding 1 to 1.5mil for all 4 years and giving them a 3rd or 4th, probably. That's only in the event that Boucher sees a fit and can convince his GM to grab him.
- MaximumBone

That ain't too bad, but it would all hinge on Boucher. Maybe Katz can do something about that and "persuade" Boucher in a manner deemed fit.

Regardless, to think that all of this could have been avoided if Russell was let go this offseason or just given a 1-year deal.

Arizona- whose GM is probably the biggest proponent of the very stats that list Russell as an AHL player- would have no interest. Especially as they seem to trying to win now. Our only real options are Vegas (possible), Detroit (Holland) or maybe MAYBE Ottawa if Boucher likes Russell's shot blocking prowess enough to convince Dorion to move for him (with cap withheld, I imagine). Either way, it's more than likely costing us at least a 2nd if the aim is to move him.

The alternative involves moving Sekera for a solid return once the team is confident that a top-4 of Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse and Benning can hold their own. Russell could be a manageable contract for another 2 years (the length of Benning's likely-bridge deal) under those specific circumstances. Something like:

Nurse (4.5 for 7)- Larsson (4.1)
Klefbom (4.1)- Benning (2.2 for 2)
Russell (4)- Davidson (1.1)
Gryba/Auvitu (900k), Simpson, Jones and Bear

While not ideal, the return from a Sekera trade and the retained asset(s) from not trading Russell could make it worth it.

This having been said, I think it'd be folly to pursue this route when the goal should be pushing for a Cup; trading Sekera moves us farther from that result. Better to either find a taker without too much cost (even if it takes withholding 1mil for the duration) and keeping the good Dmen or live with the cap hit and then buy him out after next year (less than ideal).
- MaximumBone

Another possible destination for Russell would be Edmonton. I can see Chiarelli offering Edmonton Puljujarvi and Edmonton's 2nd rounder in 2018 for Russell.