Stars Add Russell From Flames

			2016		2016	2017
To Dallas	POS	GP	G/W	P	Cap	Status
Kris Russell	D	51	4	15	$2.6 mil	UFA
--------------
To Calgary	POS	GP	G/W	P	Cap	Status
Jyrki Jokipakka	D	40	2	6	$900k	1 year
Brett Pollock	F	0	0	0	USD	USD
Conditional 2016 2nd Round Draft Pick

The Calgary Flames were reportedly taking a lot of calls on their future free agent-to-be defenseman Kris Russell leading up to the deadline and they were able to swing a deal that brings a couple of prospects over to their side to fill their shelves, while the Stars add another puck moving defenseman for their side.

Russell, who's currently nursing an injury, currently day-to-day, will help a pretty potent offense by moving the puck like he does and he also provides a shot blocking element, bettered by few in the NHL today.  The Stars have a defense that offers up a lot of shots against, so he'll have his work cut out for him.

Jokipakka, 24, will likely get some early work with the Flames, as they moved out another big minute defenseman and they wait on the Dennis Wideman process to end, but he'll come to a team as a young, emerging talent with some offensive upside to him.

The 2nd round pick for this year, could improve to a 1st round pick, if the Stars reach the Western finals and Russell plays in 50% of the games.

A move from an inconsistent offense to an inconsistent defense could help Russell's numbers, when he's healthy and back playing again.  Well, at least that's the hope for Troy, who will open the week in 17th place in the standings and among the pool low in projected games to be played this week.  Now 62 points out of the money, I am thinking that's way too far out to have this trade make any difference for him.