Campbell sweepstakes under way

Unless the San Jose Sharks come up with a whopper of an offer, it's hard to see Brian Campbell staying out west. While there's been talk of Chicago, it seems likely that Campbell is going to be high on the shopping list of several Eastern Conference teams.

The Rangers have reportedly already been given the OK by the Sharks to negotiate with Campbell, with old friend Chris Drury a big factor in the recruiting. But several other teams are probably in the hunt as well. You'd have to compensate the Sharks with a draft pick or two if you sign him before July 1 but there's a thought that somebody might make a pre-emptive strike to get Campbell and be willing to make that sacrifice.

Most accounts have Campbell garnering $6.5-$7 million per season. Wow. Rough parts of the season in Buffalo, rough playoff in San Jose. And he's going to get that coin. Bank on it (no pun intended!) Still, I'd like to know which bonehead writer voted him first in the Norris Trophy balloting. No way. Jeez.

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Sports and Business]

Chad,

Just a thought but I am not sure 12 PPGs is anything to be worried about. Also, Kotalik's shooting percentge could be better, particularaly on PP. I think The Sabres used him as a crutch on PP forcing the puck to his shot which has awesome power but woesome accuracy.

As for Connoly, you have to add his last 3 years to get close to 25 goals (24). And I have never been a fan of crossing fingers as a strategy, in sports or business...

The sad thing is that The Sabres may dump Connoly and Teppo, just to save money.

[Stanley Cupless]

I think it would be great to see some team completely handicap themselves by signing Campbell for $7M. They would basically guarantee themselves a short playoff run if they managed to make the playoffs at all.

[Tricky Dick]

Easy answer to that ridiculous question: Neither.

[tim]

here is a solid question...

Pick one, Emery or Avery? (Sounds like a song doesn't it?)

[P. D. Ski]

It sure is easy to take shots a Campbell after he's gone - or after the Sabres blew the chance to keep him in the fold with a reasonable contract. Look at what else is out there and yes - he's absolutely worth every nickel he gets. But it's fairly obvious he won't be coming back to Buffalo, so let's look to other UFAs that CAN make an impact here.

Namely Sean Avery: He's got grit, a presence on the ice that other teams cannot ignore, and can be a leader that this team sorely needs. One Team, One Goal only goes so far. When it was time for One Man to step it up last season, who did? Avery is one that can, and did it for the Rangers. Get him here.

[Bob in SC]

If Kolzig has anything left, he would be a great back-up for Miller. As much as like the idea, I do not see the Sabres spending big money on UFA's. Some inexpensive role players maybe, but that's all. Hopefully, some of those role players will be grinders.

[Chad]

S&B, I really don't think Darcy is going to try to move anybody besides Afinogenov. Kotalik is a big contributor on the PP and I'm sure the Sabres have their fingers crossed that Connolly will play 65 games this year and be around for the playoffs. I don't think they should be looking to trade a 25-goal guy for a low draft pick (3rd round?).

[Sports and Business]

I said this on another thread but I think the Sabres can dump 3-5 players by trading one guy at at time for a meaningless draft pick. That could free up about $14 million in Salary Cap space to go after Orpik. I only saw him in the Cup Finals, but I think that kid makes more sense for Sabres. He is stronger, younger (I think) and cheaper (hopefully).

I still have faith in Darcy here. He is a top notch GM. Not flawless, but top tier.

Let Kevin Lowe choke on the $7 million salary. Don't get me wrong, Campell is great but I think you can get better for $7 million.

[Chad]

I really don't think Buffalo is going to do anything in free agency this year. If anything, they may make a push for Liles or Orpik (not both), but will likely be outbid given Buffalo's propensity for not offering long-term deals. I think the team is going to spend most of its time re-signing Miller (I'll guess 3yrs/$17.4 mill) and Pommers (I'll guess 6yrs/$31 mil based on comparables). If you assume that those salaries (at least a good portion of them) go into effect this season, that equates to about what came off the cap this year with the departures of Teppo, Kalinin, et al. Then comes the RFA's. Quinn is already on record saying that Gaustad is a priority this summer. If they're smart, they'll lock up Paille this summer, making sure not to let a 20-goal scorer in consecutive seasons (I think he gets 20 this year), who also plays the PK, doesn't get to free agency next season. Then, they have to make a decision with Bernier.

What does all this mean? If they get the Miller and Pominville deals done for what will probably be their market value, and sign one or two of the RFA's, Buffalo's cap number will be sitting around $47 million. I think it's wishful thinking to assume that Buffalo will go to $50 mil, even assuming next year's cap will be between $56-57 mil.

Again, do I think they'll make some phone calls and put some offers out there? Sure, why not. I just don't think they will commit the resources it takes to get a guy like Orpik or Liles this offseason. Next summer, when they have $13+ mil coming off the cap, is when I think they'll go after some top players.

[Don H]

There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth when the Sabres let this guy go. Now the sentiment seems to be that he's little more than a bum.

[Tricky Dick]

Helluva poem, Anna!

[anna]

some owners of the NHL are to

blame for the ridiculous

contracts being handed out.

$6.5-7 million a year for

Campbell is nuts. But as long

as owners continue to pay,

market will dictate and,

luckily for Brian, he's the

hot UFA defenseman this

summer. We had a LOCKOUT

for this???

[tim]

I agree with the over riding sentiment here, lets talk about sabres. Lets talk about what we could get for Max. What we think we should spend on a top of the line D-Man in FA. Let's talk about locking up Milsy and Pommers. Lets talk about signing Big Bear to a short term deal and signing Goose to a long term one. I for one am excited to have a kid who is 6-7 and not fully grown into his body in our prospect line-up. Give that kid 3 years in juniors and about 25 - 30 lbs (which he could gain with a professional weight training staff).

I for one am pumped for July 1 this year. I was dreading it last year because the writing was on the wall, but this year I am pumped. Lets make a few moves, lets get Brooks Orpik. Lets go after Malone, or at least give his agent a call. Lets get to or near the cap (I don't mind ticket or merch prices going up as long as they spend the money on talent). Lets make some trades, lets get excited about the future. Let's leave the past behind, until we can laugh about the Thrashers dropping 8 Ms on an undersized d-man that can hit in the open ice and QB a powerplay but is weak in the corners and in front of the net, but lets do that after we make some moves on our team.

[Anne]

Emery in Buffalo is a terrible idea and, if it happens, would be incredibly stupid. Let's throw out a hypothetical situation: Miller snaps like a dry twig and gets benched, Emery slips in and starts playing well for the team. Can you really, honestly, envision Sabres fans throwing Miller, who backstopped the team to 2 Eastern Conference Finals, set franchise records for wins and games started, to the dogs to cheer for RAY EMERY? I'm all for what's best for the Sabres, but I'm not too sure I could get behind that. Emery isn't good enough for us to forget his mouth and his antics. Now, if Martin Brodeur were in Emery's skates...

[Bob in SC]

Correction: Emery over Thibault.

[Bob in SC]

I would take Emory or Thibault anyday. Emory in Buffalo? Probably not as Regier prizes team chemistry to much and Emory wants to be the number one goalie.

As for Campbell, he is history. Bring on the Orpik brothers!

[Tom]

Jim, yes Sabres prospect Andrew Orpik is the younger brother of the Penguins' Brooks Orpik. He just finished his third year at Boston College.

[Jim]

Does anyone know if the Sabres defenseman draft pick from a year or so ago named Orpik is Brooks' brother? Might be incentive if they're related for Brooks Orpik to come here....

[Buffalo Bill]

Darcy could make a splash and hit two homeruns by signing Brooks Orpik and John Mark Liles. He could have both for a $7.5 to $8.0 million instead of paying Campbell $7.0. The team would immediately become much tougher and have someone to quarterback the powerplay. OK. Enough of playing Bucky Gleason, I'm off to my real job.

[jan]

we know Campbell left for the $$ -- some GM will go after him and pay him ridiculous $$,much more than he's worth. I agree -- let's hear more about the future of this team. what's done is done.

[i hate redheads]

this guy is a total dork. he was the biggest jerk when he was hanging in the bars downtown. he knows he is ugly and the only reason he had girls around him is bcause he plays hockey. that may work in Buffalo, good luck in NYC where noone cares about him.

Speaking of noone caring, I thought this was called the Sabres edge, how about talking about actual Sabres? Campbell is long gone, so is the other idiots. Let's talk about the new Portland affiliate, the draft picks, our restricted free agents, the players we would like to trade, the players WE would like to acquire, please anything but FORMER players. they are gone to the highest bidder, there is nothing more we AS FANS can do. Hopfully the News fires Bucktooth Gleason, and we move on. Gleason makes Sully look like an optimist.

[Dom]

Ray Emery? Are you serious?

Bring back Thibault first.

[Anne]

Ridiculous. Totally absurd. If Brian Campbell makes more money Dion Phaneuf or Lidstrom then there is something in the water in other NHL cities that's not in the water in Buffalo, and for that I'm glad. Is Kevin Lowe somewhere behind all of this?

[mark]

Ridiculous money for a good player, nothing more than that though. I watched the sharks in the playoffs and Campbell was average. It is good to see that teams are taking that into account in his contract negotiations.

[Heather B.]

6.5 - 7 million for Campbell is absurd as is any kind of vote for the Norris but particularly a first place vote. Geez indeed.

[Chad]

Don't discount Atlanta. Waddell has made no secret about the fact that they're going to throw a ton of money at a defensemen. I wouldn't be surprised if they make him a Godfather offer and pay him something ridiculous. I've always seen Campbell going to a good hockey market, but money talks. If he's still available on July 1, I still like Ottawa's chances.

[greg]

If he goes to the Rangers, that will pretty much guarantee an early playoff exit for them. If, they make the playoffs.

Also, now that Ottawa has let go of Ray Emery, he would make for a good pick-up, seeing as we will probably not sign Miller once his contract expires.