Waived: Ryan Russell waived

[Double-Shift Lassé]

Originally Posted by JACKETfan

Why all the Gillies love?

He hasn't played enough for us to warrant such enthusiasm, has he?

You've been around long enouh to know these are the only guys people like.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Double-Shift Lassé

You've been around long enouh to know these are the only guys people like.

Flavor of the month as you would say....

[Cyclones Rock]

Russell is a very fast skater but he doesn't bring much else to the plate. He's not physical enough to be a 4th liner and I don't think that he's skilled enough to be an effective 3rd liner.

Perhaps his skills will improve with some more AHL time. He's gotten a good deal of experience in his stint in Columbus and he's probably acutely aware of his deficiencies. He'll be 25 starting next season, so he still has a bit of time to develop into a useful role player.

[Dr. Fire]

Originally Posted by JACKETfan

Why all the Gillies love?

He hasn't played enough for us to warrant such enthusiasm, has he?

Seen too many of these guys come and go. I'm jaded.

My point has always been that we have a bottom six that needs to be whittled down to a bottom three. They are all fourth liners in my book. None of them make a good third line that can contribute goals. Granted, we have had some injuries in that group, but still, we need a serious upgrade.

As many have said here, me being one of them, is that a good third line for us would be Umberger, Letestu, and Prospal.

The problem is it will be extremely difficult to get enough good players to make for potent top six talent. If we get a real good return for Nash, and a few of our young guys step up, then maybe.

Realistically this will be a multi-year fix. Like I said before, there are 29 other teams trying to improve as well.

[CalgaryBlue]

Originally Posted by mt-svk

I dont understand why Russell is waived when he isnt sent back to AHL.
To Gillies, he is an ideal powerforward for me,he isnt speed but he is tall and is good in the front of the net. More selfconfidence, work in the preseason and we get a very good player for nothing.

From what I can tell this keeps him elligible for AHL playoffs if Springfield makes it in. He was never going to be sent down just a paper work shuffle for elligibility.

[Viqsi]

Originally Posted by CalgaryBlue

From what I can tell this keeps him elligible for AHL playoffs if Springfield makes it in. He was never going to be sent down just a paper work shuffle for elligibility.

That can't possibly be right. It doesn't excoriate the organization in any way.