Chris Campoli: today a UFA, tomorrow a Canuck?

Chris Campoli

The Chicago Blackhawks walked away from the $2.5M contract awarded Chris Campoli by the arbitrator. Knowing the award would be higher than to his liking, and that he'd decline the option of accepting, Chicago GM, Stan Bowman signed UFA Sami Lepisto last week to a much smaller contract, more appropriate for a bottom pairing defenseman.

It would be ironic if Campoli is now targeted by Vancouver since it was his give-away in overtime of game 7 that led to Alex Burrows' series clinching goal vs Chicago in the first round. Nevertheless, it would make sense for GM Mike Gillis to bring in Campoli if the price is right. Somewhere around $2M or less would probably make it enticing, considering VAN currently has the perennial playoff scratch, Keith Ballard at $4.2M.

Keith Ballard

Like Ballard, Campoli is a left shooting, offensively oriented, average sized blueliner that can pot 5 to 10 goals and rack up 20 to 30 points a season. At  6' 200 lbs, Campoli isn't going to overwhelm anyone on the d-zone coverage, but his smooth skating, good shot and ability to lead or join the rush would do wonders for the bottom pairing in VAN, if the price is right.

As things stand, almost anything is better than a $4M bottom pairing d-man like Ballard, when precious cap dollars are needed up front to fill out the top six, which leads me to my next recommendation. With Campoli in the fold, Gillis may actually be able kill two birds with one stone, if he is able to convert Ballard into a top six forward by trading with an equally desperate team like the New York Islanders.

Blake Comeau

Blake Comeau & Manny Malhotra

The winger I'm fairly certain would be of interest is the 6'1" 205 lbs, Blake Comeau. He's quietly grown into the role of a top six forward, having surpassed the 20 goal scoring mark this past season. He would be a fine addition to the first or second line -- for instance as Ryan Kesler's right winger.

Comeau himself is an RFA this off-season and is likely looking for a deal in the $2M range. If you add his ~$2M plus Campoli's ~$2M, that equals Ballard's current cap hit.

Now there is little doubt that despite his recent ups and downs, Ballard is a better defenseman than Campoli. He also has a resume with a track record for top four minutes (well over 20 minutes a game before arriving in Vancouver where he averaged just under 16 minutes).  However, considering his cap hit and position on the VAN depth chart:

RW Comeau (~$2M) + LD Campoli (~$2M)   >   LD Ballard  ($4.2M)

July 28/11 Update:
NYI traded winger Trent Hunter for winger Brian Rolston. For NJ it was a cap saving move to the tune of $3M. For NYI, it means another 20 goal winger to the lineup. This could also impact NYI's decision to keep Blake Comeau, who is headed to arbitration if without a deal by Aug 4.

With Rolston in that lineup, one of NYI's current top nine forwards is not going to be with the team. That may simply mean Nino Niederreiter goes back to the WHL for another year. If that's the case though, Garth Snow will be short of the cap floor by ~$1M (using 23 players, projecting Comeau at $2.25M and RFA center Josh Bailey at $1.5M). Now if Bailey goes and Nino stays, the cap floor is reached even if the return in a Bailey trade is only draft picks.

However, the likely one to go is Comeau. He's the one with the leverage to demand more money than Snow wants to pay. Plus, I'd imagine NYI management feels Bailey (3 years younger than Comeau) has another step yet to take in terms of development, considering his pedigree.

NYI Point Blank chief, Chris Botta, is saying that a source has informed him that "another Hockey Move on the way...Rolston trade said to be prelude to a bigger deal...For what it’s worth, we were also told that we’re going to like this one." I would imagine this deal gets done some time before Monday's big referendum by the county on a new arena for NYI.

July 29/11 Update:
@angus_j Jeff Angus Twitter: As per @JawandaPuck, a Ballard/Comeau swap combined with a Chris Campoli signing makes a ton of sense. #Canucks

Jeff Angus, @DobberHockey: An interesting read from a few weeks ago - what if the Canucks traded Ballard for Blake Comeau, and signed Chris Campoli? Ballard never got a fair shake last season, but a fresh start may be in order. Speculation is fun, isn't it?!

Aug 3/11 Update:
With San Jose signing recent UFA defenseman Colin White, the Sharks may be looking at getting in on the Comeau sweepstakes. They can now peddle one of their existing top five defensemen to land the top nine winger from NYI. It's the same scenario I laid out for the Canucks if they sign Campoli and trade Ballard. SJS may be looking to deal blueliner Douglas Murray, Marc-Edourd Vlasic or Jason Demers to NYI. This would fall in line with my previous speculations that the Dangerous Sharks still have More Moves to Make.


Aug 23/11 Update: 
@SunGarrioch Bruce Garrioch Twitter: Chris Campoli continues to have interest from 5 teams. He will be back at work before camp.

With that short tweet, the veteran Ottawa Sun sports columnist provided more insight on the Chris Campoli situation than all of the quotes the Toronto Star gathered this week from Campoli himself:

“I felt I had a good season (in Chicago). There were a lot of positives to take out of it...I’m a confident guy. I’m confident in my ability as a player and what I’ve accomplished in my career. But being unsigned is part of the business of being a professional hockey player. At the end of the day, as a player, you have to remember that this is a business...All you can do is control how you prepare to be a professional player...Part of being a professional is dealing with the ups and downs. Things make you stronger on and off the ice...You gain certain experiences, good or bad, and you learn from them...I’m pretty fortunate (to be a hockey player)...I’m preparing and training just as hard as I always do as if I already have a contract...The bottom line is you have to be ready to play and be in great shape to play...I have to be patient and keep working hard so wherever I end up I’ll make a good first impression...I’m 27 -- there is still a lot of time left in me as a player...I’ll be ready when the next opportunity knocks for me.”

The delay could be the result of Campoli holding out for the best deal possible, or it could be because the interested GM(s) need more time to work out a win-win deal that would have them send a current defensman to another team in exchange for help at another position, thus allowing Campoli to fill the opening on the blueline.

Shaone Morrisonn & Chris Neil

Teams that could use a blueliner immediately without necessarily having to move a body include Minnesota, and Florida, and ironically, two teams Campoli has already played for, Ottawa and the New York Islanders. However, all of those look to be non-playoff teams this season -- Campoli maybe willing to wait it out until an opening becomes available with a playoff caliber team.

Playoff teams that maybe willing to shift assets in order to sign Campoli include Vancouver and Buffalo. The Sabres would need to first trade Shaone Morrisonn and convert one of Brad Boyes or Joechen Hecht into a more reasonably paid third liner via trade. Morrisonn was a disappointment for them last season, but still has a sizable amount ($2.075M) owed to him on the remaining year of his contract. His spot would be better utilized by Campoli.

The teams that may have interest in Morrisonn could be the same four lottery teams mentioned previously (MIN, FLA, OTT & NYI), especially if they are able to shed a smaller undesirable salary in exchange.

I would still advocate that the Canucks move Keith Ballard to NYI for Blake Comeau and replace the former with the much cheaper Campoli. The exception would be if GM Mike Gillis is planning on using Ballard in a package to lure a bigger fish to Vancouver, such as Comeau's former Kelowna teammate, Shea Weber.


Update 9/23/11:
The Rangers may have been one of those original five teams inquired about Campoli that Garrioch mentioned in Aug, but as the per the agent, Rich Evans, NYR isn't one of the teams to have done so recently:

The Rangers inquired about Chris Campoli within days after the Blackhawks walked away from the 27-year-old defenseman’s $2.5 million salary arbitration award this summer, but the free-agent’s agent, Rich Evans, told The Post that they have not checked in recently on Campoli even with growing doubt regarding Marc Staal’s status and availability for the start of the season. "We had conversations earlier on, so they certainly know he’s out there," Evans said of the Rangers by phone Friday morning. "We’ve had a few teams call recently and we’ve gotten some knocks on the door, but not from the Rangers."

Blake Comeau

Chris Campoli

Previous Post: Rangers Option: Acquiring Another Impact Player
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Top Remaining UFA Forwards

+35 Year Olds

Below are the top remaining UFA forwards with a bit of a scoring touch. I've only included those that scored at least 20 points or at least 10 goals. And I've grouped them into those that are 35 and older and those that are younger than that important cap related threshold.

Among the +35 year old group, Teemu Selanne is the the obvious cream of the crop. However, I would bet that Selanne will only sign in ANA if he decides to come back at all. Morrison is still recovering from a knee injury in March while playing on the top line in Calgary.

Stillman and Kovalev are still capable of good games and putting up points, especially on the PP. Prospal showed he can come back from serious right knee surgery (played at close to a PPG rate), though speed was never his game anyway. And Madden can still skate and pot the odd goal despite getting virtually zero PP time.

Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Selanne, Teemu	W	41	ANA	73	31	49	80	6	49
Update: re-signed by ANA				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				14.45	0.02	3.45	17.93	42%	110%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Morrison, Brendan	C	35	CGY	66	9	34	43	13	16
Update: re-signed by CGY				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				12.35	2.00	2.32	16.68	14%	65%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Stillman, Cory	W	37	CAR	65	12	27	39	5	24
Update: retired				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				13.66	0.01	3.22	16.90	18%	60%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Kovalev, Alexei	W	38	PIT	74	16	18	34	-6	44
Update: signed by Atlant (KHL)				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				13.64	0.13	2.72	16.51	22%	46%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Madden, John	C	38	MIN	76	12	13	25	-9	10
Rumored: MIN or retire				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				12.55	2.45	0.32	15.33	16%	33%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Prospal, Vaclav	W	36	NYR	29	9	14	23	4	8
Update: signed by CBJ				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				12.18	0.00	3.13	15.32	31%	79%

Under 35 Year Olds

This next group, players that are under 35 years of age, is a diverse lot. Samsonov leads the bunch in points and is accustomed to playing top six minutes. He can probably be had for a small cap hit unless he decides to sign in Europe. Schremp had a bit of a break out year last season but is still looking for a contract.

Zherdev is the most talented of the younger guns, but his commitment to playing shift in and shift out is a real problem. Dumont pretty much fell off the map this season, as NSH didn't even bother keeping him for the remainder of his contract, but rather buying him out. Winchester can hit and grind, and pot the odd goal. He'd have a hard time keeping up in a top six rotation though.

Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Samsonov, Sergei	W	32	FLA	78	13	27	40	-2	14
small but lots of assts on PP				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				12.68	0.05	2.70	15.45	17%	51%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Schremp, Rob	C	25	WIN	63	13	13	26	-20	16
Update: signed with Modo in SEL				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				12.25	0.00	1.77	14.03	21%	41%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Zherdev, Nikolai	W	26	PHI	56	16	6	22	5	22
best G/GP average in younger group Update: signed with KHL's Atlant				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				11.78	0.00	1.05	12.85	29%	39%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Dumont, J.P.	W	33	NAS	70	10	9	19	2	16
bought out in NSH				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				9.55	0.02	1.60	11.17	14%	27%
Name	Pos	Age	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
Winchester, Brad	W	30	ANA	76	10	6	16	-18	114
a grinder who got 10 goals Update: tryout with SJS				EvS	PK	PP	TOI	G%	Pts%
				9.27	0.02	1.17	10.48	13%	21%

Legend:

• EvS - even strength time on ice per game
• PK - short-handed time on ice per game
• PP - powerplay time on ice per game
• TOI - total time on ice per game
• G% - goal per games played percentage
• Pts% - points per games played percentage

Nik Zherdev

Perhaps the most intriguing of all of the remaining UFAs is Nik Zherdev. Is there one more NHL team willing to give the talented winger a shot? I would guess probably, but they'll likely have to stave off the KHL to do it.

"He's been an intriguing player for quite a few teams," his agent Jay Grossman told Sporting News. "It's a question of when are we going to be satisfied and when are they going to pull the trigger?"

The wild card though may be Zherdev's recent arrest in Russia:

"He's an unrestricted free agent this offseason … an offseason that has started with Zherdev getting arrested in Russia for a violent incident with his wife, according to the newspaper MK."

On the ice though, Zherdev was better than perhaps his reputation may otherwise have one believe. For instance, "balanced Corsi takes that into consideration and balances it so Corsi can be compared amongst players that play the same role. And Zherdev shines, by far the best Flyers player in the department last season according to the metric.

I wonder if there is any chance of Zherdev going back to Columbus where it all began? The Blue Jackets just lost Kristian Huselius for up to six months after on off-season training mishap. I would guess the headache that may come with Zherdev's signing isn't worth it, considering the plethora of other decent enough options still available.


July 21, 2011 Update: 
@dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov Twitter: Zherdev's Russian agent says the player is considering only NHL offers at this point; will only look to the KHL if NHL doesn't work out.

July 22, 2011 Update: 
@SlavaMalamud Slava Malamud Twitter: Tough day for Zherdev. Dissed by Holmgren first, then Magnitogorsk says it's not interested in acquiring his rights.

July 25, 2011 Update: 

@JawandaPuck JawandaPuck Twitter: Atlant (Mytishchi) club GM said: "if Nikolai Zherdev wants play in Russia, he'll play with Atlant." own rights, no trade

SPORT.RU Report: "After the Philadelphia Flyers refused to renew the contract with the 27-year old Russian winger Nikolai Zherdev , the player has expressed interest in the Winnipeg Jets".

July 28, 2011 Update: 
Zherdev interview: "I have no timetable. I’m not in a hurry, I have time. I remember a case a few years ago I had already played ten games in Russia and then one NHL team gave me a good offer. Now I’m just focusing on getting prepared for a new season and choose the best contract for me. The agent handles everything else.

"I don’t know all the details of the situation. The agent does. But I can say that I’m seriously considering all offers from both NHL and KHL. The weather is not a priority to me. The most important thing is to get a good role on the team, a good coach and a good contract. Everything related to climate and geography doesn’t basically mean anything.

"I met with Vityaz GM Alexei Zhamnov a little while ago, he played three years in Winnipeg. He said it’s very cold and a lot of snow there in the winter, which just makes it an ideal place for hockey. Great! Manitoba doesn’t scare me."

July 29, 2011 Update: 
@JawandaPuck JawandaPuck Twitter: Alexei Kovalev signing w/ Atlant #KHL, means Nikolay Zherdev is more likely to play in the NHL this season #NHLJets #NHL

Zherdev's KHL rights are held by Atlant and their GM has stated he has no intention of trading them. Those rights may come in handy even if Zherdev starts in the NHL this season, but decides to finish in the KHL.

Aug 3, 2011 Update: 
@dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov: Zherdev couldn't find the offer he was looking for in the NHL and joined his formed KHL club Atlant where he will be teammates with Kovalev.

Apparently the NHL offer(s) were to low and he took the better deal from Atlant and gets the chance to play with Alexei Kovalev.

Alexei Yashin

Alexei Yashin back to the NHL? Certainly the Phoenix Coyotes are desperately in need of a #1 center. I would imagine though, if Yashin had a choice, he'd want to stay in the eastern conference, specifically with the Islanders. 

"Last season, we had a long break in the KHL and I came back to New York...Charles called and invited us back to the Nassau Coliseum for an Islanders game against Nashville. We sat in the suite and had a really nice time. It was great to see the Islanders again.

"In my five seasons there, we made the playoffs four years. That's pretty good, but it's not enough. I wished we developed into more of a success, but I only have positive things to say about the Islanders, Long Island, the fans and ownership. I still root for the Islanders.

"About two years ago, we were talking to the Islanders. The idea was about what it would take for me to join them late in the year and for the playoffs after my season in the KHL. The Islanders didn't make the playoffs and the idea didn't go any further. Let's face it, that's a long shot." 

Since 2007, the 6'4" 225lbs pivot has been playing in the KHL with two different clubs: Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg. Those two cities obviously passed the girlfriend litmus test. Yahin's life partner of 11 years is former supermodel and actress, Carol Alt, a Long Island native. St. Petersburg is beautiful and Yaroslavl is not far from Moscow. I'm sure Alt would also be thrilled with a return to Long Island.

July 20, 2011 Update: 

Apparently Alexei Yashin is available again and has received an offer from an NHL club according to his agent as quoted by Sovetsky Sport:

Reporter: And in the NHL, Alexei interest still there?

Mark Gandler: One proposal from the NHL, we have already received.

Reporter:  From the "Islanders"?

Mark Gandler: I will not discuss the club. We consider the feasibility of the proposal.

July 22, 2011 Update:

@dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov Twitter: Yashin's agent Mark Gandler to SovSport: "At this time we are negotiating with the #Islanders...and are seriously considering their offer."

@KatieStrangNYI Katie Strang Twitter: #Isles-Yashin reunion? Both Snow and Yashin's agent Mark Gandler confirm to Newsday they have discussed possibility

@dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov Twitter: Coach for Avtomobilist (a KHL club that was in the running for Yashin) says "the club can't compete with the Isles and Metallurg offers."

July 24, 2011 Update:

@KatieStrangNYI Katie Strang Twitter: Per Yashin's agent: Nothing new this weekend re: discussions between #Isles and Alexei Yashin

July 25, 2011 Update:
@KatieStrangNYI Katie Strang Twitter: Yashin said he will "look at all situations" and take time to decide on the future. "We'll see what is the right decision for me." #Isles

@mirtle James Mirtle Twitter: No surprise here but was told only NHL team that Yashin could land with would be the Isles. It's them or the KHL again.

July 27, 2011 Update:
@KatieStrangNYI Katie Strang Twitter: Yashin's agent Gandler said via email today there was nothing new to report; GM Garth Snow declined to comment #Isles

July 28, 2011 Update:
@andystrickland Andy Strickland Twitter: Nothing is imminent between the Islanders and Alexei Yashin...if he does sign it's not expected to happen before next week #Isles

Aug 24, 2011 Update:
Garth Snow quoted by the NY Post: "Right now, I don't have any plans to add another forward to our group," Snow told The Post. "As much as we'd like to add quality veterans, we're not going to box out our young guys." Looks like it was just another off-season of Alexei Yashin back to NYI false 'hope'.