A couple months after becoming a free agent Kris Russell's search for a new home may finally be nearing its end.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently appeared on the NHL Network and reported that Russell may sign within the next few days and that a return to Calgary is still possible.
“Kris Russell I hear has got some interest out there,… Friedman said. “And that he’s probably getting close to making a decision in the next few days. He’s a western guy. I think in a perfect world he would stay out west, but right now he’s kind of got to wait....
"I wouldn't be surprised at all if maybe he wants to go back to Calgary," Friedman continued. "Calgary's got a really crowded blue line. And unless they can do something there with one of their existing contracts I’m not sure there's room.
In theory there is room for another blue liner in Calgary. Ladislav Smid is injured and Deryk Engelland nor Dennis Wideman are overly inspiring options in the bottom half of the team's defense.
In saying that there are some problems. First off Russell isn't much of an upgrade - if at all. He doesn't bring much to the table offensively (he had 19 points last season) and defensively he is vastly overrated. He spends most of his shifts chasing play in the defensive zone and predictably hits the deck any time it looks like a player may be attempting a shot, which makes him easy to fake out and step around.
Kris Russell loves hitting the deck. To a fault, I think. pic.twitter.com/JO8CwMlxTU
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) January 26, 2016
There's also the fact that, as Friedman mentioned, the Flames don't have a lot of spare money floating around.
Russell may want to return to Calgary, and the Flames may want him back, but unless the Flames cut some dead weight off their roster there is no room for Russell. And that's probably a good thing.
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