Analytics aficionados may have reason to rejoice and breathe a sigh of relief. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported on Tuesday that free agent defenseman Kris Russell is likely to sign with an NHL club prior to the start of training camp, but does not believe that the unrestricted free agent’s final destination will be Toronto.
The 30-year-old blueliner was expected to attract a multi-year deal in free agency after a solid season with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, but teams did not bite and according to McKenzie, Russell will likely sign a one-year deal and attempt to test free agency next summer.
TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated last week that the Leafs might have interest in Russell on a short-term deal that would enable them to flip him at the trade deadline for future assets, but the blueliner would likely opt to play for a team that would compete for a postseason berth and give the veteran a top-four role to maximize his value on the open market.
Auston Matthews goal for Team North America in a 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic on Wednesday
Matthews goal pic.twitter.com/7QiaHbuS9k
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 14, 2016
Toronto is entering year two of their transition under head coach Mike Babcock and will likely be focusing more on evaluating youngsters Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Carrick, Frank Corrado, Viktor Loov, Rinat Valiev and Martin Marincin instead of adding a stop gap veteran who will take ice time and opportunity.
Babcock will get a close up look at one of his potential blueliners in Zaitsev on Wednesday, as the former KHLer and Team Russia take on Canada in their final exhibition game at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
“We think (Zaitsev) is an important player for the Leafs going ahead. I like that they’re putting him out (on the first pairing) on D. I like that he is out there all the time. He must be a good player.… Babcock said.“Most coaches are pretty smart and like to win and so they play the players that help them do that. If he’s important to them than he has a chance to be an important Leaf. I’ll know way more about him after 60 minutes tonight.…
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