The Blackhawks might get some defensive help from a familiar source...well, if the price is right at least.
Brian Campbell, who is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, “has serious interest” in playing for Chicago again, according to Chicago Tribune writer Chris Kuc’s sources.
The most obvious issue with that is Chicago’s cap situation. The Blackhawks had to bundle prospect Teuvo Teravainen along with Bryan Bickell to send the latter’s contract to Carolina, but even after doing that Chicago is in a delicate situation, in part depending on how much RFA Andrew Shaw goes for. To throw Campbell into that mix would be difficult to do.
And yet if they can pull it off, it would help bolster their defense. Campbell isn’t the offensive force he was when he recorded 52 points with Chicago back in 2008-09, but he can still contribute in that regard while filling a top-four role. He also hasn’t missed a game since his last stint with the Blackhawks ended back in 2011.
Campbell was traded in the first place because the Blackhawks needed to get out from under his eight-year deal worth roughly $57 million. The 37-year-old’s next contract will obviously be far more modest, but he should attract attention on the free agent market, especially seeing as there’s never a shortage of teams looking for puck-moving defensemen.