Spitting Out Soup
Once we're done unceremoniously burning any Brian Campbell jerseys and/or shirts we might have along with noting that we have yet another reason to despise the Blackhawks, now what?
There isn't any other UFA who's a genuine playmaking defenseman. Do the Sharks try to snag one via trade, and if so who and how much would the team have to give up in order to get someone worth getting? Do they run the tired "we're fine just the way we are -- wait for the kids to develop" line again with a sidebar of how much better Christian Ehrhoff has become and how he'll blossom into filling Campbell's role? What about the need for a dominating physical defenseman and wingers willing to crash the net?
You can't fault management for not re-signing Campbell; his family issues made it apparent the chances of his returning to San Jose were slim, and as a snide snark the fact he chose the Blackhawks is a good indicator he's decided the best way to avoid the bruising nature of Western Conference playoffs, which he handled poorly, is skipping the post-season altogether. That said, Doug Wilson and company certainly can't afford to stand pat. The team is not good enough to be anything other than two and through, if not one and done, without external upgrades. The next batch of kids is almost undoubtedly not ready for prime time. The current crop is not going to magically make great strides forward. This team needs help if it wants to become a legitimate Cup contender. Period. So what will management do?
Nothing to do but stay tuned, I guess.
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dan boyle
tampa is shopping him throughout the league…sharks and sens have come up as two very likely destinations. he can play upwards of 27-30 minutes a game, and despite last year appears to have had a pretty clean slate of health for his career. virtual guarantee for 50 points and a solid replacement for campbell. wont get him cheap, but he should be a relative bargain as tampa tries to shed his salary over the next 4 years or so – believe its around 6.6 per. not sure what wed be willing to give up, or what else tampa is looking for besides cap relief – im sure young, cheap talent – but theyre reloading quicker than most thought. ideas?
by calhockey2 on Jul 2, 2008 9:34 AM PDT 0 recs
also
wilson wouldnt have ponied up the kind of money and years for campbell that chicago did. averaging a little over 7.1 mill over 8 years is way too much for his more or less one dimensional game. i dont think you can be too mad about how it panned out; one way or another he was out the door.
by calhockey2 on Jul 2, 2008 9:37 AM PDT 0 recs







