While the 37-year-old Campbell will never return to the 62-point form he exhibited in the 2007-08 season, the veteran defender showed he's still capable of posting respectable numbers as a member of the Panthers in 2015-16, notching 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) with an impressive plus-31 rating over 82 games. The 5-foot-10 blueliner will now return to the team he won a Stanley Cup with in 2010 – the Chicago Blackhawks – where a top-four role awaits. Campbell will see plenty of ice time with the 'Hawks this season, and should get an opportunity to contribute on the man advantage as a member of one of the team's power-play units. While Campbell is no longer an elite fantasy option, he should be productive enough to warrant serious consideration in deeper leagues in 2016-17.
While the 36-year-old may not quite have the same pep in his step that he once did, he’s a valuable member of the youthful Panthers. Providing a veteran presence on the blue line, Campbell put up 27 points in 2014-15, but that total was his fewest in a full season since he scored 27 while playing 65 games for the Blackhawks in 2010-11. Playing on the top defensive pairing and on the power play, Campbell still has some gas in the tank even as he prepares for his 16th NHL season. Don't count on Campbell for penalty minutes or to reemerge as a 50-point scorer, but he still logs a lot of ice time and is a fixture of the team’s power-play line, which makes him a viable fantasy option in deeper leagues.
Campbell had a good season for the Panthers in 2013-14 putting up 37 points, including a dozen on the power play. He will be on their top D-pairing and quarterback the power play again this year. He should be good for another 30-40 points, although with the Panthers youngsters developing he could see a small pop if the team takes a step forward offensively. At age 35, he will start to lose a step soon, but Campbell remains a solid play for the upcoming season.
Campbell had another productive season on the Panthers' blue line last season, racking up eight goals and 19 assists while playing all 48 games. He's starting to get to the age where players begin to slow down, but there's no reason to believe the 34-year-old will put up drastically different numbers than last year. He's played every game the last two seasons for the Panthers, so he's been durable as he gets older. The major blemish on his stat line last season was the glaring minus-22 rating, but a big negative number is always a risk when you draft a player from a team like the Panthers. Even after you downgrade him for the plus/minus numbers, a defenseman that should put up around 50 points is a valuable asset to any fantasy team.
Campbell made the most of his transition to South Beach playing in all 82 games and chipping in with a career-high 53 points, good enough for second among NHL defensemen. The veteran defender may not pot the puck on a regular basis, but his ability to rack up assists and his durability at an advanced age makes him an attractive option heading into the 2012-2013 campaign. Florida's coaching staff allows him to roam the ice and start the rush, something he didn't do in his final years with Chicago. Campbell should continue to see plenty of opportunities to see his name on the stat sheet as the season progresses; he was a steal last year in most drafts, just don't overpay for last season's numbers, especially if there are defensemen on the board who score more goals.
The Panthers made headlines when they picked up Campbell in a trade with the Blackhawks. The puck-moving veteran defenseman will anchor the Panthers power play and should continue to rack up assists. Campbell's value lies mainly in deeper leagues, as he is not much of a goal-scorer. With an above average ability to move the puck, combined with an expected increased amount of ice time, Campbell should be a consistent source of points for the upcoming 2011-12 season as the team's power play quarterback.
Campbell sustained a broken collarbone towards the end of the regular season, but returned in time for limited action in the playoffs. His bread and butter comes in the form of assists - he had 31 last season - enough to hold value as a steady fantasy rearguard in deep fantasy leagues.
Campbell might still be one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL, but he definitely took a dip last season. With the addition of Marian Hossa, Campbell may see a rebound back into the 60-point range, but it's the little things that he doesn't do that makes him one to avoid in many formats. Campbell has never eclipsed 35 PIM in any season of his career, and his offensive contributions are less valuable in that they're largely comprised of assists while being supported by a mediocre plus-minus (plus-5 last season). If your league doesn't reward time in the sin bin or plus-minus, he's still a potential top-10 option, but don't overpay for his services.
Campbell was the Hawks' primary target in free agency this offseason. He signed an eight-year contract with the team one day after they announced the signing of Huet to a four-year deal. The Hawks love Campbell's skating ability and power-play work. Campbell ranked second among NHL defensemen with 54 assists and tied for third with 62 points last season. Even if Chicago overpaid for his services, his numbers should stay consistent with his production from past years, making him a durable and productive fantasy defenseman.
Campbell showed flashes of brilliance in 2006-07, although his season was marked by inconsistency. He produced seven point-scoring streaks of three games or longer during the regular season, but also had five scoreless droughts of at least four games. His plus-28 rating was excellent, however, it will be hard to replicate with a weaker supporting cast in 2007-08. Campbell's power-play production virtually disappeared last year, which is a significant concern. He remains a top-flight defenseman, but at age 28, he may have already reached his ceiling.
Campbell had the best season of his career in 2005-06, with 44 points in 79 games. Buffalo's addition of Jaroslav Spacek might cut into his time a little bit, but not enough to worry potential fantasy owners. Campbell is a stud on the power play and was one of the few Sabres that stayed healthy in the regular season and playoffs. Expect more of the same in 2006-07.
Campbell's been good enough to stick in the pros, but we're still waiting for his offense to develop. The Sabres seem more committed to some of their other defensemen, so Campbell seems like a candidate to be a career disappointment. He's still young enough (26) that there's time ... just don't expect the world.
Campbell's been good enough to stick in the pros, but we're still waiting for his offense to develop. He's still young enough (25) that if you're willing to take a bit of a chance on a youngster who might hit his stride should Alexei Zhitnik not be in the mix anymore, it's worth a throwaway pick. Just don't expect the world. Perhaps 20-25 points is attainable.
