Campbell has many suitors……..including the Habs???

Uncategorized

Campbell has many suitors……..including the Habs???

Rick Stephens

June 30, 2008

An excerpt from the Ottawa Sun (Bruce Garrioch):

Campbell will be in town tomorrow at agent Larry Kelly’s Slater St. law office for the onslaught of free agency at 12:01 p.m., and whether he stays in the capital as a member of the Senators remains to be seen, he will be one rich defenceman once he agrees to a contract.

The 28-year-old Sharks blueliner and former 67’s star will be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.

Sources say the Senators believe they have a good shot at landing Campbell and he will be their No. 1 target tomorrow.

The indications are the Rangers, Thrashers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins and Blackhawks are all going to make a pitch. And the Sharks can’t be ruled out because Campbell feels a certain amount of loyalty toward them.

Habster:

Needless to say, Bruce Garrioch has a lot more hockey connections than I’ll ever have but with that being said, I’m not sure the Senators have the long term cap space to accommodate Brian Campbell contract demands.

Campbell and his agent Larry Kelly are believed to be asking for a contract in the neighbourhood of 7 years at $45-$52.5 million which are very steep numbers (in years and money) for a team with long term deals already in place:

$18.7 million for 3 players (Fisher, Spezza and Heatley) until 2012-13.

$25.24 million for 4 players (Fisher, Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson) until 2011-12.

$28.7 million for 5 players (Fisher, Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson and Phillips) until 2010-11.

(Information source: NHLNUMBERS.COM: http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=OTT&season=0809)

I realize the salary cap could increase and there is also the possibility of Bryan Murray trading one of these players (Spezza’s name has been mentioned prevalently in trade rumours) but Campbell will be a hot commodity tomorrow at noon and the offers will probably be of the ridiculous nature with a very weak UFA market for defensemen.

Garrioch also mentions the Canadiens as suitors for Campbell’s services. I doubt this will be the case as Bob Gainey has publicly stated that he isn’t interested in signing Campbell and we all know that NHL GMs never lie or speak with a forked tongue……yeah right!!!

If Campbell insists on a 6-8 year contract, then count Gainey out as he will not commit to such a long term contract at a $6.5 -$7.5 annual cap hit.

Gainey’s main area of UFA focus will be to add more offensive punch and grit to the forward position. Granted, the potential loss of Mark Streit will certainly accelerate the need to add an offensively talented defenseman but there are other cheaper options available to the Canadiens.

Other options would be Brad Stuart, Ron Hainsey, Jeff Finger and Michal Rozsival. These players may not have the same offensive flair as Campbell but would be cheaper options.

Re-signing Mark Streit is the most obivous choice and does provide the Habs with some flexibility playing both forward and defense. Streit would also be willing to give the Habs a hometown discount with his success and girlfriend from Montreal. With that being said, Gainey shouldn’t give Streit a blank cheque beyond his worth.