ROSTER REDUX: Kris Russell

Ahead of the 2018-19 season, EdmontonOilers.com is taking a look back at the '17-18 individual performances of the Oilers in our series 'Roster Redux'
EDMONTON, AB -Defenceman Kris Russell spent his extended summer in Alberta working on his farm, golfing and training six days a week.
But as September looms, it's all getting old for the defender, who eagerly awaits the puck to drop on a fresh campaign.
"I feel good," the Caroline, AB, native said at Oilers Hockey School in July. "I'm ready for the season to get going and getting a little bit antsy now."
Video: 1-ON-1 | Kris Russell

ROSTER REDUX

SERIES SO FAR
Puljujarvi
Benning
Rattie
Lucic
Draisaitl
Nugent-Hopkins
Talbot
Caggiula
Klefbom
McDavid
Individually, the rugged defenceman ended '17-18 with four goals and 21 points in 78 games, an eight-point increase from '16-17 when the rearguard notched one goal and 13 points in 68 outings.
Russell and his defensive peers were tasked with a larger workload this past season due to the injury to Andrej Sekera, which the group tackled as a collective. Russell averaged 19:04 of ice time a night, administered 90 hits and - as he's been known to do - blocked 223 shots, the most League-wide and the most since 2014-15 when he blocked 283 as a member of the Calgary Flames.
Russell is now looking ahead to what he hopes is a bounce-back year in '18-19.
"I think we just have to play better individually and have that translate to our team game," Russell, who's blocked 1,615 shots over his 719-game NHL career, said. "A lot of us were disappointed with how the season went last year and it's only going to get tougher. The teams around us got better, so it's not going to be easy.
"We're going to have to work just as hard to get back into the playoffs."
Like his teammates, Russell is looking forward to starting the year overseas when the club travels to Germany and Sweden. Russell has played NHL games abroad in the past, competing in a pair of matches against the San Jose Sharks in Sweden to kick off the 2010-11 campaign when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I've had the opportunity to do it before," he said. "I think it's good for our team since we get to be with each other for a few weeks. We're obviously excited to play in Leon's hometown and then get the season started against New Jersey."
The blueliner believes starting the year on the road will benefit the squad.
"Especially at the start of the season, it forces us to be together," Russell added. "Get bonding, get new linemates and new partners. There's going to be some new guys added to the mix so we'll get to know them quicker and easier.
"Hopefully that will translate to our on-ice performance."
Russell noted the addition of Kyle Brodziak as one of the newest Oilers that will help the club return to contender status.
"From what I've heard, he's a great guy. His experience in the League, the way he plays the game - he plays the right way - it adds to the leadership group we have," Russell said.
"I'm excited about the year and I think a lot of guys are."