The Habs signed defenceman Chris Campoli today who played was with Ottawa and Chicago this past season. Campoli was an unrestricted free agent after Chicago refused his arbitration award and instead signed defencemen Sean O'Donnell, Sami Lepisto, and Steve Montador who will provide them with far more toughness.
Campoli, who turned 27 this summer, is listed at 6 feet and 190 pounds. His most productive offensive season was his rookie year, 2005-2006, when he scored 34 points for the Islanders, but also a -16 which is a career worst. He has only reached 30 points one other time in his career.
The most likely cause of this signing is that Markov's knee injury is worse than expected. Campoli plays left defense, a position that is under filled by the projected Canadiens defense to start the season. Currently, the Habs project to have Spacek and Gill as the other left defencemen, while Subban, Gorges, Yemelin, and Weber play on the right side.
This signing also appears to be a sign that the coaching staff does not have faith that Woywitka could fill a depth role at the NHL level and the some of the other youngsters, like Nash and Beaulieu, require more seasoning in Hamilton and junior.
I am not that happy with the signing because it seems that the only skill that Campoli brings is that he is left handed and can play on the left side. He has never shown to have a lot of offensive upside, nor has he shown the ability to be a strong defender, twice being -16 and never having a +/- greater than zero in a single season. His skill set - strong puck-mover, decent skater - seem to be duplicated in other youngsters, like Diaz and Weber, who are on the bubble. The Habs could have played Gorges on the left side to fill the need for a left d. I would like to have seen those two get a greater chance to prove themselves before the Canadiens reached out and signed Campoli.
Campoli signing on TSN.ca
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