Flames have opened contract talks with Kris Russell

The Calgary Flames haven't forgotten about Kris Russell.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving started preliminary discussions with Russell's agent, Al Roy, earlier this week in an effort to work toward a contract extension with the NHL's reigning shot-block king, reports Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun.

Russell, a bona fide top-four defenseman, is one of seven on the Flames' roster set to earn more than $2.5 million this season, and the only blue-liner without term on his contract beyond 2015-16.

For that reason - not to mention his increasing, yet tough-to-determine value - it could be difficult for Treliving to get Russell's camp to sign off on a figure that fits the team's current pay scale. But both sides seem intent on making it work.

"Obviously they're big fans of Kris and it's home for him so he'd like to stay," Roy said. "Are we going to get something done? We are hoping. We are just beginning talks."

Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Wideman, and T.J. Brodie will combine to earn more than $23 million next season, which works out to roughly a third of the team's salary cap.