Sorry for the one day break. I was trying to find a picture of Campbell that wasn't him just absolutely bodying someone. Couldn't do it. So, now you know what you're getting into with this guy.
If you're just joining us, check out the rest of the series here.
As a reminder, in part 1 I identified 3 clues that can lead to a good UFA signing. They are:
1. We want a guy who's underrated, so his market value will likely be below his actual to-the-team value
2. We want a guy who's not that old on a relatively short contract
3. We want a guy who's playing style hopefully won't cause him to burn out quickly after starting his deal
These aren't requirements. They're more like helpful hints. None are necessarily deal makers, and the absence of one is not necessarily a deal breaker.
And now, let's take a look at the best player named Campbell currently playing the NHL.
BRIAN CAMPBELL -
Hero chart -
How to actually read a hero chart
More numbers -
Brian Campbell is the best free agent defenseman available this off season. That's not really debatable. No one is in the same league as this guy. Brian Campbell is a Norris level defenseman that's consistently robbed when it comes to voting season because he doesn't score. Brian Campbell is better than Drew Doughty. He's better than Kris Letang. He's sure as hell better than Kevan Shattenkirk or Keith Yandle. For whatever team gets him, Brian Campbell will be a god damn game changer.
One problem, though.
Brian Campbell is 36.
Needless to say, he's not exactly the long term solution the Bruins need on defense.
But he doesn't need to be. Rumor has it that Brian Campbell is looking for a lucrative 1 year deal with a "contender". Considering how Iginla took the Avalanche to be a contender a few years ago, I won't rule out Campbell considering the Bruins to be a "contender". I mean, hell, they do have the best player in the world. The Bruins really are just a decent blueline away from being contenders. That's much, much easier said than done, but Campbell would help that cause.
Cap wise, getting Campbell on a 1 year deal will be pretty easy. The Bruins have a LOT of cap space for the upcoming season, and I mean a LOT. The problem comes next season, when you have Marchand, Pasta, and Spooner all needing new deals. That means, if we use that cap space this offseason for a large number of longer term deals, we're fucked. But one big one year deal ties up that cap space and prevents Sweeney from doing more stupid things.
I'm thinking we give him literally whatever he wants. Like, once we have everyone else signed, we give him 95% of our remaining cap space. I'm serious here. Pay the man.
There's not much more to say about Brian Campbell. It's really, really hard to talk about someone who just has no weaknesses. Maybe that's why Bergeron doesn't get Hart consideration.
Well, whatever. What do you think about this guy?
Also, tomorrow's guy is the last UFA D we'll talk about, unless there's someone you guys think was a glaring omission. If so, let me know in the comments.