June 22, 2008 -- OTTAWA - The window has opened early on Brian Campbell's free agency, and the Rangers New York Rangers have been given permission to take a peek.
Actually, the Rangers have been granted permission by San Jose GM Doug Wilson to do more than peek. The Post has learned that the Blueshirts have been authorized to talk with the impending free-agent defenseman, an opportunity of which Glen Sather is believed to have already taken advantage.
Rangers have had the plan for a top O minded D man since the lockout.
This wont be a surprise.
The question is can Renny teach him to play defense
i just wonder why sather dont like physical tough dman anymore in edmonton he had those guys orpik and vandermeer is what id like, vandy to replace struds
He's not worth the money. And if they are so desperate for an offensive dman I guess they have little confidence Sanguinetti will reach his potential any time soon.
i just wonder why sather dont like physical tough dman anymore in edmonton he had those guys orpik and vandermeer is what id like, vandy to replace struds
Because like all the other GMs have figured out, under the new rules the premium is now on skill as opposed to banging.
What does everyone have against Campbell? If Roszival wants 5 million and Campbell wants 7, then the extra two million is so worth it. Campbell is a far more offensively talented defender and just as good if not better defensively. We NEEEEED the powerplay pointman and he is a great fit.
Sangs needs a lot more development to be as good Campbell, if he ever even fulfills his potential.
But, yeah, Campbell is likely to be overpaid. He is a very good player, but not elite. It would be nice to have him but he isn't worth the mega-contract that will probably be required to get him. Term, like a 6 year deal, doesn't scare me, it is that even at that length he probably gets 6 to 7 million and with our other large long term contracts we could be handicapping ourselves for a long time.
Campbell will be a huge failure with the Rangers...
First of all, he's not physical at all... People remember that Umberger hit but it simply isn't Campbell.
Secondly, while he scores a lot of points, he does so by making some questionable decisions to jump in. The Rangers' system isn't conducive to that and it has been shown time and time again with Rangers defensemen who decide to jump in the play. Also, Campbell stinks at times in his own zone.
I'd rather take Redden who will cost less and isn't as bad in his own end or with some of his decisions jumping in.
You know what, I think signing Campbell would be a good idea. If you want to win the Cup, you got to have a Dman who thinks offense and can set up the PP a little. I dont have to tell you guys we were 22nd in the league (I believe) on the PP even with so many talented forwards. Look at the great teams in the league. Anaheim won with Nieds and Pronger. Lidstrom was great for Det. Even Gonchar who I thought at the time was a bad signing. Campbell can play lots of minutes (57 minutes in the 4OT game). San Jose didnt lose for like a month after they got him. Is he worth the money he will get? No, probably not, but I think we have the cap room to do it. In a year or two if things dont work out, I think he can always be traded. Look at Kubina, who I think will get traded soon. Guys like Sangs and Del Zotto are coming down the road, but Sather's strategy is to win now as well as develop the kids. Thats why they'll overpay for a guy like Campbell, while at the same time filling other holes with youngsters.
I wouldnt look too deep into this guys...on TSN they said yesterday most eastern conference teams were given the OK to talk to campbell...then they went on to say the Sharks are allowing this because they want to see what his value is from other GMs so they can negotiate further.
i just wonder why sather dont like physical tough dman anymore in edmonton he had those guys orpik and vandermeer is what id like, vandy to replace struds
Campbell is tough and physical but lacks basic defensive instincts.
Vandermeer is the same but also lacks offensive skills.
Given the chance, I'd take Campbell, unless we really want a blueline of third pairing guys again. I'd really much rather trade for Souray, Kubina, Bieksa, even Pitkanen at this point. Or sign Stuart.
People need to stop saying that he isnt worth the money that he will get. People still feel that 6 or 7 mil is a crazy amount of money. The cap is increasing and in a couple years the cap can hit like 60 or 63 mil. When that time comes , a 7 mil contract isnt gonna be that much anymore.
At first the salary cap was great for the Rangers. It forced us to be efficient with our player signings. We were building from within and ignoring the big name, over priced star players. We had the blue chip players like Straka, Nylander, Matt Cullen and Adam Hall. Defensemen like Rachunek and Aaron Ward.
But since July 1, 2007, for whatever reason the team completely changed its game plan, going with the big name overpriced, overpaid star players. Until the start of the last free agency period, the salary cap had been the best thing to happen to the Rangers. If we sign Campbell, we are asking for trouble. It will make it very hard to sign our own players (Marc Staal comes to mind) if they develop into great players.
Another thing it does is it blocks a guy like Sanguinetti who might be ready to contribute. If they sign Campbell we will have no felxibility.
First of all. ALL the impending UFA's will be "overpaid". Secondly, Our PP needs help. A Lot of help. If you shy away from both Hossa and Campbell thats fine, but start figuring out a way for the 08-09 Rangers to put pucks in the net.
This sums up everything I feel. Why progress when we can have six mediocre defensive d-men (who really aren't physical) , and the whole season will hinge on an average defensive system wherein Chris Drury makes $7M per and we pray Blair Betts doesn't get injured?
Uh oh, here comes another 8 million 10 year contract
I'd rather sign Redden than Campbell (if he didn't resign already)
Redden is a giant puss and will most likely command a 6 mil + contract. So if all it takes is another mil to add ALL that offense that campbell brings (more then double the offense that REdden produced) it would be very worth it.
Campbell is tough and physical but lacks basic defensive instincts.
Vandermeer is the same but also lacks offensive skills.
Given the chance, I'd take Campbell, unless we really want a blueline of third pairing guys again. I'd really much rather trade for Souray, Kubina, Bieksa, even Pitkanen at this point. Or sign Stuart.
Souray?? Really? Who was like a minus 29 on a good Montreal team 2 years ago?
in edmonton he had those guys 
orpik and vandermeer is what id like, vandy to replace struds
