Habs sign Chris Campoli

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

What role will Yemelin play this year?

Like many other Hab fans, I have waited patiently for the arrival of Alexei Yemelin. To my surprise, the Canadiens managed to lure the talented Russian defenceman to Montreal this year. I was happy to hear about this development because I was beginning to lose hope that we would ever see him in a Canadiens sweater given the fact that he kept signing new contracts in the KHL. With that said, what role can we expect Yemelin to play with the Habs this year?

With the top 4 (Markov, Gorges, Gill, Subban) essenstially a lock, the early expectation for Yemelin is to try and make the team as a member of the bottom pairing and playing beside Spacek. However, that being said, it doesn't mean that Yemelin cannot have an impact with the Habs this year. His skillset: big, tough, hard-hitting, and good skating has a many fans salivating over his potential. The one fear I have for Yemelin this year will be how he handles the toughness and intimidation of the NHL.

This year will let us know whether he can put those skills together and turn into a credible top 4 defenceman. If he can, the Habs will have a solid d-core for the next few years as the defence transitions from being led by Markov to one being led by Subban, Yemelin, Tinordi, Gorges, etc. The Habs have nothing to lose this year with Yemelin because the expectation of most fans was that he was a lost prospect along the lines of Korneev and Perezhogin.

Balk


My vision for the Habs D

At the begining of the year, the Habs could start with these combos.

Markov - Gorges
Gill - Subban
Spacek - Yemelin

If Yemelin proves he can play in the top 4, the could move him onto a pair with Markov. This would give the Habs good depth and the ability to roll the three pairs with no fear.

Markov - Yemelin
Gill - Subban
Spacek - Gorges