So, ignoring the massive overreaction that Russell is "barely NHL worthy" and we got "fleeced"...
I wouldn't say I'm a fan of this trade. Russell is small, and not a world-beater. Solid #4, great bottom pairing defender. HERO charts are sure as hell not everything, and it seems like everyone who brings them up says that, and yet their opinion never reflects as such.
Looking at what we gave up...
Jokipakka. Russell's a clear upgrade here. While I like the guy and his story (and name) are great, he didn't have a future here, and he's a #6 at absolute best. We had to move out a defender no matter what. Nemeth is looking good, has the most potential of the three candidates, and is the most unique. Oleksiak, I'm willing to bet we hung onto him due to Hamhuis negotiations, and who knows if he's got untapped potential still. That leaves Jokipakka. I'm not going to remorse that loss, especially when we're getting a definite upgrade.
Pollock. Good prospect, looks to be a solid bottom nine forward with two-way potential. Probably best at center, though. And here's the thing - we've got our top six centers locked up for the next four years in Seguin and Spezza. For the bottom six, we've got Janmark, Eakin, and Faksa in the NHL right now, and Dickinson and Shore both look great in the AHL. Also not too difficult to just go out and sign someone to fill that role. He doesn't have high-end potential and is pretty redundant, so its not much of a loss., I'd say.
The pick. 2nd round pick, eh, who cares. Once you get out of the top 20 or so, the draft becomes such a huge crapshoot. Both picks are gonna be below that, and if we have the WCF, I couldn't give less of a **** about not having either pick.
This team has three real issues right now. Special teams, goaltending, and positioning in our own zone. Russell is a great PKer - shores up one end of the special teams, and the other we have the personnel to fix, we just need the coaching to get on board. Goaltending? Nothing here, although I guess you could argue that his acumen for blocking shots will give them an easier time and less of a load to deal with. In our own zone, I think you could make a solid argument that Russell is up there as one of the best defenders in his own zone on the team now. Knows how to get into shooting lanes (obviously), and isn't bad at picking up his man. He's small, though, so I don't expect him to clear the front of the net or throw bone-crushing hits, but none of the options available would fill that bill.
He's a strong skater and he can move the puck decently - two things Nill looks for in defenders. I think he's a good fit for this team and helps shore up some of the issues we have. Best option? Probably not, I would've preferred Hamhuis, but maybe the price was too high at the time and it was now or never for Russell. We're still in on Hamhuis anyway, apparently.
Definitely not an awful trade. Whether its good or not remains to be seen, but Russell is going to have to really suck (or god forbid, get injured) for this to be as slanted towards Calgary as many are saying it is.