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The Chicago Blackhawks lack a puck moving/power play defenseman to take the team from outside of the playoffs into a battle for the 8th playoff spot next season. Because they have failed to develop any of the numerous defensemen they have drafted over the past 10 years of futility they are faced with the task of signing a miracle free agent.

Of course Hawk braintrust is whispering to anyone who will listen that they are going to do everything they can to land Brian Campbell and remake this D.

I've always wondered if anyone in top management with the team actually watches other team's games based on the stupid player moves they usually make. I really hope they are watching this years playoffs because two things are clear:

Campbell should run back to Buffalo because he is a shadow of the player he was in that frozen village and more tellingly,

Stephane Robidas, who the Hawks let slip away as a free agent back in 05, is probably playing the best hockey of any defenseman in the playoffs with the exception of Nick Lidstrom.

Campbell is overrated and the Hawks covet him. Robidas is underrated and the Hawks gave him away for nothing.

No wonder this franchise has missed the playoffs 9 of the past 10 years.
April 28, 2008 10:52 AM ET | Delete
Brian Campbell: Never has one player wanted so much for doing so little for many. Next to Kyle Mclaren, this guy has been the Sharks biggest defensive liability in this year's playoff run. Any team that shells out the big bucks for this guy in the off season needs to have their management re-evaluated.
April 28, 2008 11:12 AM ET | Delete
He is not worth close to that amount, but sadly, someone will give it to him.
April 28, 2008 11:30 AM ET | Delete
"Frozen Village"???
April 28, 2008 1:32 PM ET | Delete
just an FYI: Buffalo and Chicago don't have very different year-round temperatures.Campbell was never stellar on the defensive end. he actually looks pretty similar in SJ, with the exception of a few bad blunders so far these playoffs. he'll get the money because he puts up numbers. of course, last year's Sabres were tops in the league in goals, and this year's Sabres were 4th...kinda helps out the stat line. I wouldn't give him more than $4.5-5 mill. he's a great breakout d-man, and can run a power play better than most, but that's where it stops.
April 28, 2008 2:44 PM ET | Delete
Beachemin for Seabrook. You get an offensive guy with better D than Campbell.
April 28, 2008 2:59 PM ET | Delete
Campbell is the same as Phil Housley. Great with the puck but couldn't check his coat! Put him with a solid D-defenseman and he'll be fine. I'd take him back in the tundra for $5,000,000 per.
April 28, 2008 4:23 PM ET | Delete
Scubasteve: Sounds like he'll be a Blackhawk for life.Kyger6: You are right.Spaulding: They call this the Windy City but the lake is to the east and the wind is from the west. Buff is the oposite and I've never been colder than standing outside of the new building in April. C'mon if you've been to any other city in the world you will admit Buff is a village.Lala: He'll get the money because he is the only guy out there who has the reputation. Whoever get's him will regret it if they spend over $6 mil on him.Ducks: Two incredibly overrated players but I will say the Beauch...has the playoff experience that Seabrook won't have for a few more years after Tallon is fired and somebody who knows what they are doing is in charge. Until then, Seabrook is a Blackhawk for life.Sabretooth:Phil Hously was in my opinion a much better player than Campbell at this point. Hously could make a solid first pass and act as the 4th forward. Campbell goes long stretches when he is not noticable. Bottom line-The Buff team that lost to Carolina two years ago was one of the best teams to ever not win a Cup. Campbell was part of it so who wouldn't want to relive those days?
April 28, 2008 6:16 PM ET | Delete
He was playing great in the regular season, but so far this post-season he has not shown he is worth over $5 million a year
April 28, 2008 8:56 PM ET | Delete
campbell is soft. he's thrown about 3 checks in the last 3 years. people are gunna pay him for his offence, but they're gunna regret payin him that 7 mil when they watch him get outta the way of a shot from the point that eventually hits the back of the net..
April 28, 2008 10:10 PM ET | Delete
Steve: That's when Campbell really started to mature. Two years ago when eveyone but the trainers were playing D for the Sabres. Give me that team again without the injuries and I would gladly relive those days. And the first pass and 4th forward are describing Campbell exactly!!!!!
April 29, 2008 1:59 PM ET | Delete
Steve, thanks for letting me know that Buffalo is a Village. I had no idea!!? Gez, and to think the 1.1 Million people in this metro all live in a village but have been calling it a city since the mid 1800's!? Idiot! Ya, it's small compared to Chicago, most cities are, but don't act like an arrogant @sshole. Stop telling everyone one that posts on your blog that their wrong and stop trying sound like you know everything, cause obviously you don't.
April 30, 2008 11:07 AM ET | Delete
Spaulding thanks for the note. Just for the record, I love Buffalo. Where else can you live like a king so close to a major city? Where else do great lakes and rivers collide making for a wonderland?
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