Jul 4, 2016
Agent: Russell didn't turn down Leafs' offer
Kris Russell has not closed the door on signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his agent Allain Roy said Sunday. Roy took to Twitter to shoot down rumours that Russell had rejected a contract from the Leafs, who TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported are interested.
TSN.ca Staff
Kris Russell has not closed the door on signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his agent Allain Roy said Sunday.
Roy took to Twitter to shoot down rumours that Russell had rejected a contract from the Leafs. He did not say whether the defenceman has received interest or an offer from the Maple Leafs.
Russell, 29, scored four goals and 15 assists for 19 points over 62 games split between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars this season - the final year of a two-year, $5.2 million deal he signed with the Flames in 2014. The Flames traded Russell to the Stars for defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka, forward Brett Pollock and a conditional second-round pick at the trade deadline.
He picked up four helpers over 12 postseason games as the Stars made it to the second-round, where they fell to the St. Louis Blues.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported prior to the opening of free agency that the Leafs had interest in Russell.
The left-hand shot is the top defenceman left unsigned on TSN Hockey's Top 50 free agent list.
Drafted 67th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005, Russell has scored 38 goals and 139 assists for 177 points in 573 regular-season games with the Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Flames and Stars.
The Caroline, Alberta native has also appeared in 36 playoff games, recording three goals and 16 points.
Sunday marked the second time Roy took to Twitter to deny reports about his client, he also tweeted about false reports when free agency opened on July 1.