Dorion: Senators out on Kris Russell

The Ottawa Senators are content with the defensemen still in training camp and will not be pursuing a deal with unrestricted free agent Kris Russell.

So says general manager Pierre Dorion, who added the eight defensemen on the roster - including rookie Thomas Chabot - will stick with the club to begin the regular season.

The rest of the group includes Erik Karlsson, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Methot, Cody Ceci, Mark Borowiecki, Chris Wideman, and Fredrik Claesson.

It begs the question as to who is actually in on Russell at this point, with the regular season less than a week away. The veteran defenseman was believed to be in talks with as many as eight teams in early September, while also reportedly waiting for prospective suitors to clear cap space before signing.

The Senators, at least, have reduced the list of potentially interested parties.