When the story emerged that Brian Campbell was done negotiating with the Sabres on an extension yesterday, we were all in the midst of Cujo-gate. However, this story rings very deep and intensely for many Sabres fans who have just lost Drury and Briere and are afraid that Brian could be next.
I have been talking to sources all morning and last night and I don't think the comparisons to Drury and Briere are as apt as those of Roy, Hecht and Vanek. The Sabres have shown this year that they are willing to spend to keep the younger parts of the band together and at 27 yrs. old Campbell is very young for a puck moving defenseman.
He is also extremely valuable, and the Sabres know that and respect that. I truly got that sense from my discussions with sources with knowledge of the negotiations to date. The Sabres are willing to pay Brian and have put out some very competitive offers. And they will continue to do so.
I don't get a true sense of animosity in this situation from either side at this point. In fact the Sabres sort of went out of their way to be complimentary and respectful of how great a team player Brian is.
I think this may be a case of the market not yet being set by players like Phaneauf, Weber, Redden, and Boyle. It is hard to say what exactly Brian is worth at this point. He is an All-Star, and a top 5 scoring defenseman. There is little doubt that some team may be willing to over pay in July, because he would be the best UFA puck moving guy out there.
But I don't believe Brian wants out at all. I think he wants to be fairly compensated, but in a world where Jaromir Jagr has 13 goals playing for a star studded Rangers team and Patrick Sharp has 22 goals playing with a bunch of kids in Chicago, where some players are signing 1 year deals while others sign 12 year deals...Who's to say that it isn't too early to evaluate exactly what a fair price is.
Either way, and I say this out of love for the great fans of Buffalo, I would tell you if it were time to line up on the bridge leading into Ontario.
It isn't that time yet, and despite the current stances don't be shocked if Campbell is signed one of these mornings when you log onto Hockeybuzz.
They aren't all that far apart IMO.
NYLANDER OUT FOR THE SEASON
Huge Props to hockeybuzz blogger Steven Hindle for breaking the story the Nylander is out for the season due to injury. Steven wrote about this a full two hours prior to anyone else. Great work as always Steve.
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