Teams lining up for Campbell, but is he available…
The Ottawa Sun is reporting that several teams are interest in acquiring Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Sabres…
Ever since Campbell declared that he didn’t want to continue contract negotiations rumors have been circulating that the Sabres will trade Brian Campbell. As reported by the Ottawa Sun there are plenty of possible suitors should the Sabres look to move Campbell.
“The Sabres haven’t ended contract talks with free-agent D Brian Campbell, but they’re not making much progress. The word is Buffalo won’t let Campbell go for nothing, and will move the defenceman before the trade deadline if he’s not re-signed. The Sharks, Senators, Penguins, Canucks, Rangers and Bruins have all made pitches for Campbell. The asking price: A player, prospect and No. 1 pick”
That’s a high price but Campbell is one of the top puck moving dmen in the league and he’s still young. But the big question is, will he actually be moved? It’s no secret that the Sabres have had virtually no luck resigning their own free agents in the past decade and last summer was no exception. This leads a lot of fans to speculate (and hope) that the Sabres will trade Campbell to get return for him rather than see him walk in the summer. However the Sabres have been playing well recently picking up 7 out of their last 8 possible points and have a few big games against teams in sixth through eighth.
What this means is that in the next couple weeks the Sabres playoff hopes will be completely fleshed out. They’ll either be solidly in it, or solidly out of it. I predict that if they continue to climb and stay in the hunt Campbell will stay in Buffalo, even if it means losing him in the summer. But if they fall he’ll be moved and more teams than the 6 mentioned will put in some interest. The price of a roster player, top prospect and a top pick may even go up when the trade deadline hits and top contenders are looking for some help. I also expect some interesting offers that involve conditional picks or prospects if a team can re-sign Campbell to a long term deal before the summer.
http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Columnists/Garrioch_Bruce/2008/02/03/4809726.html