NHL Trade Rumors: Dallas Stars have significant interest in Kris Russell

The Dallas Stars have reportedly expressed significant interest in Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell

The Dallas Stars have been looking to upgrade their defense as they try to match what the Chicago Blackhawks have done over the past few days. One of their main targets has been defenseman Kris Russell of the Calgary Flames. The Stars have expressed significant interest in him.

Calgary would love to move on from Russell since he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and his asking price was too much for the Flames’ liking. They will most likely seek a high draft pick and a prospect for him considering what Roman Polak got for the Maple Leafs.

The Stars would be wise to stay away from Russell if the price is high. Russell is the type of defenseman who can be a huge liability. He blocks a ton of shots but that is largely because he is terrible at moving the puck out of his own zone. Kris Russell is not mobile so he likely wouldn’t be a good fit in a system that encourages their defensemen to be involved on offense like the one that the Stars deploy.

Dallas would be smart to go after John-Michael Liles or Dan Hamhuis instead. While both are not mobile defensemen, they are at least solid in their own zone. The Stars need guys who are effective in the defensive zone. Russell is not one of them.