It's been talked about for the last few years that Brain Campbell is unhappy. After winning the Southeast Division three seasons ago it seemed the Panthers had finally turned the corner. Two disastrous seasons later, the 35-year-old is wondering if he'll ever get a shot at the postseason again.
While the Panthers are widely known to be one of the most up and coming franchises in the NHL with a slew of young talent coming up, the clock is ticking on a player that skates like the wind and leads by example.
During the end of the 2011-12 season, the Panthers were desperately trying to close the division out and clinch a playoff berth. Nothing came easy for the Cats as they lost a few heartbreakers coming down the stretch. On a few occasions the media was already leaving the locker room going to talk to Kevin Dineen. Campbell was still sitting at his locker...still in his full gear...staring into space.
That's how serious he takes this game.
That's how bad he wants it.
Then the last two seasons happened and it's as if he almost checked out a bit. We can't really blame him, can we?
He has never missed a game as a Florida Panther, and has amassed 19 goals and 88 assists in 212 regular season games. However, his -37 rating over that time is troubling. Except for his first year in Florida he hasn't had much help, or a team worthy of success. It has shown on his face.
But as a new season begins there is new hope. The Panthers have gone through a dramatic overhaul once again that has brought many new faces to South Florida. The blossoming defensive core is still intact and the addition of first overall pick, Aaron Ekblad, is sure to bring a different character to this blue line.
Will it be enough to finally start pushing the Panthers in the right direction year after year? We shall see.
But Campbell is the leader of that group, if not the entire team. He has two years left on his $7.142 million per year deal that Florida GM Dale Tallon signed him to in Chicago. He still has financial stability and loves living in South Florida. But how this next year begins for this team might set the table for the Brian Campbell we see for the rest of the year.
He's tired of the slow starts and the mountain that must be climbed to get back into contention. This team must avoid that, because there may be just one more year of offensive challenges before the youngsters start clicking.
Regardless of what happens this season, Campbell is a great asset for the Florida Panthers on and off the ice. As his tremendous career starts winding down it would be nice to see him leave a great legacy with this Panther squad. But it all starts with winning now.
Dan Spiegel...
Florida Panthers Media
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