Kris Russell

[Sly1]

Dobbs,

In your Pool Guide Buggs indicates that this guy may warrant one of the top rookie defender of this year, indicating that their is a huge hole on the Columbus power play and that he is the perfect guy to fill it. But when you look at your review of the Columbus team Russell does not even show up in your top 8 defender list, nor is he given any percentage of making the team. Although in your prospect report you had indicated that: \"He will likely be on this team in the fall and will immediately be
amongst the top two pairings\".

So what is the percentage of this guy making the team this year? And if he does make the team, what do you expect as production this year?

Sly

[InForAPenny]

Well said Sly1. I was going to post the exact same thing when I got up this morning. Thanks. Here\'s hoping Russell does make it.

[DAW]

I also was going to have the same post.. well we will wait to see what dobber has to say with this one... also like to point out this is the best damn fantasy hockey site!

[The Good Sir]

Great Question guys. I\'m hoping to get him late in my draft this year. If he makes the team of course, and depending on what Dobbs has to say

Post edited by: The Good Sir, at: 2007/08/02 14:14

[87Flyer]

landed him today along with smid, thoresen and a 2/3rd depending on how things turn out by years end for axelsson, b.clark and hutchinson. hoping he makes the squad and shows us how well a smaller guy with a huge heart can play.

[flamesfan]

I\'m dying to hear the answer here.....he could be nice under the radar sort of pick up in my pool...

[wizworm]

The only thing that scares me about Russell is his size (especially as a D-man). The skil, work ethic, and heart are all there but he\'s SO tiny! I\'m almost afraid to watch the first time he goes into the corner to pick up a puck and there\'s a 6\'3, 215 lbs forward racing in on the forecheck.

If he makes the team out of camp it\'s because the Blue Jackets desperately need his shot and puck moving skills on the PP. But even if that happens, I don\'t see Russell getting much 5-on-5 time next year. He may have the skill set to play at the NHL level next year but size IS an issue. If he does makes the team I see him playing with Tollefsen on the third D-man pairing for the most part and therefore not getting a lot of minutes. Most of his icetime should come from playing on the PP unit so he could still have some fantasy value as a PP specialist, but I don\'t think he\'ll be a major fantasy assest next year.

Post edited by: wizworm, at: 2007/08/03 19:05