NHL Free Agents: Brian Campbell – Rumors, Best Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Free Agents: Brian Campbell – Latest Rumors, FA Profile, 5 Best Fits
Among notable NHL free agents, Brian Campbell ranks among the most likely to re-sign with their current club.
If you consider their recent trade of Erik Gudbranson to Vancouver, it gives even more fuel to speculation that the necessary cap room should be available to retain his services.
Campbell, 37, is a seasoned veteran who just completed his 16th NHL season in 2015-16. He was originally picked by the Buffalo Sabres 156th overall (6th round) back in 1997 from OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.
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He began his pro career in 1999-2000 with Buffalo, and would stay with the Sabres until late in 2008 when he was traded to San Jose as a rental.
Brian spent the next three years with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup in 2010.
In the summer of 2011, Brian Campbell signed with the Florida Panthers. He has been in South Florida ever since, dawning the “A” on his jersey in all five seasons.
Brian hit a milestone in 2015-16 reaching 1000 regular season games played. He has 82 goals, 405 assists (487 points) in 1002 career games.
He also has nine goals, 35 assists (44 points) in 103 playoff contests.
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Brian Campbell’s Resume:
– CHL First All-Star Team, Memorial Cup Champion, Memorial Cup Most Sportsmanlike Player, CHL Player of the Year, OHL First All-Star Team, OHL Most Outstanding Defenseman, OHL Most Outstanding Player, OHL Most Points by D-Man, OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player – 1998-99
– Team Canada World Juniors Appearance, WJC All-Star Team – 1999
– NHL All-Star Game Appearance – 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2011-12
– Stanley Cup Champion in 2010
– Lady Byng Trophy – 2011-12
NHL Free Agents: Brian Campbell Rumors/Speculation
via Sportsnet,
Expect any decision here to come in the off-season. The dependable veteran will find work at reduced pay. Campbell and former GM Dale Tallon have both said they’ll try to make contract negotiations work, but you wonder if the Panthers’ reorganized front office changes things at all.
“The Florida Panthers are in a position now where they want to pay their players. They’ve signed [Nick] Bjugstad and [Aleksander] Barkov to long-term deals,” analyst Denis Potvin told me.
“It really all depends on Brian Campbell and where he feels he can fit in. Brian was very clear at the beginning of the year: He wants an opportunity to win a Cup and be with a competitive team. I think he’s with that team now—first in the Atlantic. I expect he’ll stay.”
via Sun Sentinel,
May 29: Campbell has not told Florida that he will test free agency.
Per NHL source #Bruins will target D Brian Campbell in free agency. But source close to Campbell says he wants 1 yr big $ deal w/contender.
— MurphysLaw74 (@MurphysLaw74) May 29, 2016
This personally makes zero sense to me. You’ve got Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg – both left-handed on the decline – and the suggestion is to add another 37-year old to the mix? It’s time to focus on younger options who shoot left.
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Potential Contract for Brian Campbell
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Given his age, and only a slight decline, it makes sense that a new contract comes a little short of his past deal that carried a cap hit a little north of $7 million dollars.
If he becomes one of the many NHL free agents this summer, it could come down to a matter of preference for Campbell.
If he prefers a particular term to close out his career on one final contract, the annual salary will range lower. However, certain teams with Cup aspirations will offer a one or two-year deal at a higher AAV.
Projected Term: 2-3 years
Projected Salary: $5.5 to $7 million dollars/year
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5 Best Fits
Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, St.Louis Blues