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Columbus character: Blue Jackets ink Gregory Campbell

Gregory Campbell

Gregory Campbell

AP

The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that they signed Gregory Campbell to a two-year deal today.

They didn’t provide the financial terms, but Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that it’s worth $3 million overall (so a $1.5 million cap hit each season).

Hockey fans, writers and executives sometimes obsess about “character” - just watch some TV analysts discuss the Phil Kessel trade to soak in such talk to your heart’s content - and Campbell is generally regarded as a heart-and-soul guy.

If you’re even somewhat aware of Campbell, you likely remember him fighting through broken leg during a shift during the 2013 playoffs, as you can witness in this memorable clip:

He’s not going to light up the scoreboard (six goals and 12 points in 70 games with the Boston Bruins in 2014-15), but Campbell brings hustle and grit - not to mention hits - to the table.

He also fits the general theme of the Blue Jackets team as a relentless bunch. Back in March 2014, Ryan Johansen made a positive comparison between Columbus’ roster and “rats,” and Campbell would likely add another layer of greasy resilience to that group.

Campbell, 31, isn’t going to be a make-or-break type presence, yet he might be the kind of grinding force who could conceivably wear down other teams if the Blue Jackets are dangerous in 2015-16.