Bruins Player Report Cards 2010-11: Gregory Campbell

Grade: A

When the Bruins acquired Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell in the trade that sent Dennis Wideman and a few picks to the Florida Panthers, most of Bruins nation rejoiced for the former 3^rd overall pick Horton. Throughout the year however, the "Horton trade" became the "Campbell trade" before it became simply an overall awesome trade following the player Campbell proved himself to be.

Campbell came to Boston to be one of their top penalty killers and he excelled at that throughout the season. He was third among forwards for shorthanded time on ice behind only Patrice Bergeron and Chris Kelly (though Kelly split time with the Senators) where he averaged 1:43 minutes of shorthanded time on ice per game. The London, Ontario native was a replacement player for Steve Begin (who had taken the spot for Stephane Yelle) who played the role of a fourth line center with a lot of penalty kill time.

Not only did Campbell his job on the penalty kill, but he far exceeded expectations. Though he played in 20 fewer games, Campbell only had 2 goals the season prior to coming to Boston. A member of the "energy line," he centered Shawn Thornton and a constantly rotating winger for the season.

In the 2010-11 season he was only 3 assists shy of matching career highs he had set in the 2008-09 season with the Panthers. An achievement he did reach, however,was being the second Bruin since Steve Leach in 1992 to have double digits in goals and fighting majors with 13 goals and 11 fighting majors on the season. The only other Bruin to attain such status was Milan Lucic in 2008-09.

So Campbell certainly did what he came here to do and that much more. He’s been an asset to the team and is a Stanley Cup Champion to prove it.