Chicago's soup of the day -- Campbell
Brian Campbell just agreed to an eight-year contract worth $56.8 million with the Blackhawks, making him the big-ticket item on the first day of unrestricted free agency. It's crazy money when you think the Sabres could have had the Skating Tomato for $5 million a year last summer. And they thought he was asking for too much.
The Blackhawks have had their eye on Campbell since last season, when it became obvious that his days were numbered with the Sabres. GM Dale Tallon wanted him at the trade deadline but couldn't get himself to pull the trigger, knowing his team probably wouldn't make the playoffs.
Look for the Blackhawks to be a team on the rise over the next couple seasons, much like the Penguins have been since the lockout. South Buffalo's Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will be in their second season. Campbell joins a team that is loaded with good, young defensemen. Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, James Wisniewski, Cam Barker and Niklas Hjalmarsson are all 24 or younger and can play.
If the Sabres are the No. 1 team in Buffalo, is it safe to say that Chicago is No. 2?
After all, there plenty of Western New York connections other than Kane. Hawks assistant GMs are Lewiston resident Rick Dudley and former Williamsville resident Stan Bowman (Scotty's kid). Their top community relations man is Pete Hassen, who graduated from Sweet Home High School and worked for the Sabres before moving to Chicago. Clarence-raised Kevyn Adams played there last year.
--- Bucky Gleason
The Sabres are the talk of the town and much of that talk will be here. Sabres beat writers John Vogl and Mike Harrington get you behind the scenes, and columnists Bucky Gleason and Bob DiCesare provide perspective with frequent postings on the team and the league.
soupy went to whoever would pay the most $$$. they overpaid for him--it's their problem
Posted by: jan | July 01, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Ridiculous money - He will really help improve the Blackhawks without a doubt - but that money is WAY over the mark.
These defense contracts of Campbell, Redden and Rosival put the nail in the coffin of any attempt to get Orpik - his number just went up.
Posted by: Rock | July 01, 2008 at 08:18 PM
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
BRING RHETT BACK
Posted by: Sean | July 01, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I think $5 mill would be overpaying, and for bucky to make his smug comments really comes as no surprise. It is funny when you consider that bucky didn't even mention Campbell's name in his first GM for a day article. Like most of us, he didn't see this unbelievable talent even two years ago.
Posted by: Hambone Johnson | July 01, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Probably.
Posted by: Buffalo Excuses | July 01, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Overpaid. Glad we aren't the suckers.
Posted by: nd | July 01, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Five million was too much then, seven million is too much now. I do wish ol' Soup well though.
Posted by: Heather B. | July 01, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Bucky - you couldn't resist dipping back into that well yet again, could you? I still am not sure why you make the implicit assumption that because someone is willing to pay Campbell $7MM, his actual intrinsic value is at the same level (is Finger worth $3.5MM?)
I think Chicago had one big thing going for it when negotiating. Soupy won't have to come back to Buffalo until the 2010-2011 season, so he won't have to worry about getting booed 'til then. Too bad - I think he may actually get it worse from the San Jose fans.
Posted by: ElmaGolf | July 01, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Hey Sports and Business...stop whining. And hold yourself to staying home, it just makes more tickets available for me!
Posted by: STFUSB | July 01, 2008 at 07:25 PM
The Buffalo Excuses choke again in free agency. Lalime is a sad commentary as your only signing.
My money will stay at home this year.
Later.
Posted by: Sports and Business | July 01, 2008 at 06:25 PM