Unrestricted free agent defenseman Brian Campbell signed a one-year deal for around $2 million with the Blackhawks. Campbell, who turned 38 on June 23, played the previous five seasons with the Florida Panthers appearing in all 389 regular season and playoff games played by the Panthers during that span.
As many have speculated, Brian Campbell has made his decision and it’s going to be a return to Chicago. Likely a one-yr deal around $2M
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) July 1, 2016
Brian Campbell Signed by Blackhawks
Campbell was originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres where he spent the first seven-plus years of his career. Buffalo traded Campbell to the San Jose Sharks at the 2008 NHL trade deadline for a brief stopover before Campbell spurred San Jose for an astonishing (at the time) eight-year, $57,143,000 contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In three years with Chicago, Campbell would struggle to live up to the lofty contract despite being part of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup winning roster. On June 24, 2011, Campbell would waive his no-trade clause and head to the Florida Panthers in exchange for winger Rostislav Olesz. Campbell’s accepting the move to South Florida also meant being reunited with the man who offered him his now-radioactive contract and his old general manager in Chicago, Dave Tallon.
Campbell has been a solid contributor for the Panthers since his arrival for the 2011-12 season. In his first campaign in Florida, Campbell set career high in ice-time (26:54). He also won the NHL’s 2012 Lady Byng Trophy as the league’s “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability”.
This past year, Campbell paired nearly exclusively with youngster Aaron Ekblad on the Florida blueline during the 2015-16 season. Ekblad leaned on Campbell’s experience as he learned the ropes in the NHL and both players benefited from the partnership.
Campbell still can play a solid two-way game and as a bonus act as the mentor for the young defenseman on Chicago. Campbell was an ironman for the Panthers and could remain and efficient defender through the term of his latest contract.
Main Photo: SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 5: Brian Campbell #51 and Reilly Smith #18 of the Florida Panthers look on during the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on November 5, 2015 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Campbell; Reilly Smith
