On Kris Russell and Dennis Seidenberg …
Frank Seravalli on TSN: Kris Russell’s agent, Allain Roy, said over the weekend that he’s spoken with eight teams. Roy added that a deal is likely to happen before the end of the World Cup.
Some teams could be waiting to see if the Anaheim Ducks will move a defenseman after they sign RFA defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
The Flames are believed to be interested in Russell, and the feeling could be mutual. The Flames would likely have to find a taker for defenseman Dennis Wideman. The Flames would have to retain salary to move Wideman, possibly up to 50 percent of his $5.25 million. The Flames would have to know what Johnny Gaudreau’s new contract salary is before making anything big happen.
A few teams are looking at free agent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. He’s looking for a contract and not a tryout. The 35-year old Seidenberg has dealt with injuries in two of the past three seasons, though he did log over 19 minutes per game last year.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 talking about Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and head coach Michel Therrien and if they could be on a short leash.
“I don’t think if the Canadiens aren’t lighting it up by American Thanksgiving that Geoff Molson is going to say, ‘Okay Marc Bergevin, I gave you your chance to do things without P.K. Subban and with a different look. You’re gone.’ I couldn’t see that happening,” speculated McKenzie.
“I think you have to be careful with all of these assessments; but if Carey Price is healthy and the Montreal Canadiens are below .500 at the U.S. Thanksgiving, that’s one where any coaching staff would have to look over their shoulder a little bit.
“But again, it all depends too on how are they playing, what are the reasons for the losses. It’s so nuanced. But overall, I don’t think that Marc Bergevin’s leash is so short that there’s a chance he’s going to be gone by Christmas or anything like that.”