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Sharks acquire
Campbell Boucher also signed to backup
Nabokov 2/26/08 - By Mike Lee
The Sharks addressed one of their holes on Tuesday by
acquiring defenseman Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Sabres along with a 7th
round draft pick, in exchange for right wing Steve Bernier and San Jose's 1st
round draft pick this summer. In Campbell, the Sharks shore up the defensive
corps, by adding a two-time All-Star that can help on the power play. Sharks GM
Doug Wilson failed to add any help up front, where the Sharks 2.50
goals-per-game average ranks them 25th in the league.
The 28-year-old
defenseman brings solid blueline credentials to San Jose, who excels at moving
the puck. The Strathroy, Ontario native was also a mainstay on the Sabres power
play, which will add depth to a Sharks special teams corps that ranks in the
bottom 3rd in the league.
Campbell, ranks seventh among all NHL
defensemen in scoring with 43 points (five goals, 38 assists) in 63 games.
"Brian's a guy that gets the puck out of your zone quick," said
Wilson. "He's a quarterback on the power play and he will compliment our group
really well."
Drafted by Buffalo in 1997, Campbell has spent his
entire professional career in the Sabres organization. He was visibly shaken
when speaking to the media earlier in the day.
''It's a shock,''
Campbell told the Canadian Press. ''There's a lot of good years here in
Buffalo. Once it happens, it hits home pretty fast, but I'm looking forward to
it now.''
Buffalo had been seeking a suitor for Campbell's services
after the two sides broke off contract negotiations last month. Buffalo was
rumored to have offered Campbell a 4-year deal worth upwards of $14 million,
but the defenseman was looking for a longer term deal.
''We would all
have preferred to have him here and keep him here,'' Sabres GM Darcy Regier
said. ''But this is part of the new (collective bargaining agreement) that
we'll have to deal with.''
In 391 NHL games, all with Buffalo , Campbell has
posted 176 points (32 goals, 144 assists) and 113 penalty minutes. In 34
Stanley Cup Playoff games, Campbell has posted 13 points (three goals, 10
assists).
The Sharks finally gave up on Bernier, who failed to
establish any consistency in his play after earning a roster spot in 2005-06.
The 16th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft would play like a world
beater on some nights, then disappear for long stretches.
His 23
points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 59 games this season with the Sharks, ranks
him 6th in team scoring. In 159 NHL games with San Jose , Bernier recorded 81
points (42 goals, 39 assists) and 126 penalty minutes.
"We wish Steve
the best," Wilson added. "He's worked really hard for us and we think he will
go on and have a tremendous career."
San Jose also sent defenseman Rob
Davison to the New York Islanders, in exchange for a 7th round draft pick in
the upcoming draft. Davison's playing time was reduced to only 15 appearances
this season, some coming as a forward. With the addition of Campbell, there was
no room for another blueliner.
Goaltender Brian Boucher was also
signed, providing more experience to the Sharks backup netminder situation.
Dimitri Patzold and Tomas Greiss have appeared in only 6 games for the Sharks
this season, neither having any playoff experience at the NHL level.
Brian Campbell:
Profile Brian
Boucher: Profile
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