Reports out of Buffalo on Monday claiming Brian Campbell had played his final game with the Sabres turned out to be true, as the Sabres dealt him to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Steve Bernier and a first round pick.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson had been shopping for an experienced puck-moving defenseman all season and in Campbell he’s got exactly what his team needed.
Campbell is comparable to Montreal’s Alexei Markov in style, plus he also plays a good physical game for a blueliner of his size (6’, 190 lbs).
It also shows the Sabres weren’t willing to risk losing Campbell for nothing as they’d done in the recent past with other notable unrestricted free agents.
In Bernier the Sabres are getting a forward who has yet to deliver on the promise he displayed in his rookie season of 2005-06 when he had 27 points in 39 games. Still, at only 22 Bernier has plenty of time to improve, and might fit in well on a young, speedy Sabres team.
I think this will turn out to be a good deal on both sides if SJ can resign Campbell. I would have prefered giving up Carle over Bernier, but I think Stevie B will be a great fit in Lindy Ruff's system.
Today is a good day to be a Sharks fan. SJ desperately needed a puck-moving D-man and Campbell fits the bill. I imagine after the Guerin debacle of last season, Doug has some indication that he can re-sign him...perhaps his former teammate Mike Grier will be of help, along with Joe Thornton, whom I gather is a childhood friend. Add the signing of Boucher and this is a red-letter day in teal town.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
