NHL Trade Rumors: Bruins discussing Kris Russell trade with Flames
The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames are having discussions about Kris Russell
The Calgary Flames are looking to sell high on upcoming unrestricted free agent defenseman Kris Russell as they try to get something for him as opposed to losing him for nothing. One of the teams that is looking to add to their blue line is the Boston Bruins. The two sides have reportedly had discussions about a trade that would sent Russell to Boston.
According to a league source, Bruins and Flames discussing D-man Kris Russell but source added it's too soon to say if a deal gets done.
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) February 29, 2016
The Bruins have been exploring a variety of ways to improve their blue line. One of them even involves trading upcoming unrestricted free agent forward Loui Eriksson to a team for a young defenseman. Trading for Russell would allow them to add to their blue line without trading Eriksson, who the Bruins like a lot and is very important to the Bruins playoff chances this season.
Kris Russell would give the Bruins a guy who is used to playing on the second pairing. It remains to be seen what the package is for him, but anything more than a second rounder would likely be an outrageous price to pay. Russell isn’t that efficient of a defenseman. He blocks a lot of shots, but that’s largely because he isn’t effective at moving the puck out of his own zone.
Russell will also be a free agent after this season and the Bruins likely don’t have the cap room to give him the cap space that he wants.