According to a report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, defenseman Kris Russell has agreed to sign a one year, $3.1 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Russell has played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, and Dallas Stars.
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Kris Russell Signs
The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Kris Russell in the third round of the 2005 NHL Draft, 67th overall. After four successful seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, Russell’s NHL career began in the 2007-08 season.
Columbus traded Russell to the St. Louis Blues only twelve games into the 2011-12 season, where he rejoined previous coach Ken Hitchcock. He scored 12 points in a combined 55 games that year. While playing with Finnish SM-Liiga‘s TPS Turku during the 2012 lockout, he recorded 14 points in 15 games before sustaining an MCL injury. He was able to return to the Blues for 33 games, earning only 7 points. After the disappointing campaign, he was left out of the Blues’ playoff roster.
Russell signed with the Calgary Flames as a restricted free agent after his rights were traded for a 5th round selection in the 2014 draft. His most recent move came at the 2016 trade deadline. The Flames sent him to Dallas in exchange for Jyrki Jokipakka, Brett Pollock, and a conditional 2nd round pick in the 2016 draft.
Despite recent shortcomings, Russell has proved to be a good lower-pairing defenseman, and will hopefully boost his new team’s blue line. Russell is undersized, but is a solid puck moving defenceman. He is willing to play physical; as well as block shots.
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Main Photo Caption:
SAN JOSE, CA – FEBRUARY 11: Kris Russell #4 of the Calgary Flames skates against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on February 11, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
