The Ottawa Senators sign Chris Campoli
The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed defenseman Chris Campoli to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million. The signing helped to avoid arbitration with the 25 year-old Ontario native.
Chris Campoli
Campoli began his professional career with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He spent three years with the team and was named the team’s captain in his final two seasons. Campoli put up strong numbers with the Otters over his three year stint. His most impressive season came in his final year with the club when he notched 20 goals and 46 assists for 66 points in 67 games.
Campoli’s strong junior career earned him the right to be drafted 227th overall by the New York Islanders in the 7th round of the 2004 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft.
The Islanders elected to send Campoli to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Campoli played an entire season with the Sound Tigers, registering 39 points in 79 games with the club.
The following season, Campoli was called up and played a full season with the Islanders, managing 34 points in 81 games. The following season, Campoli struggled, however, as he spent the season between the Islanders and the Sound Tigers.
Over the next two seasons, Campoli was not able to find his game, playing for a struggling Islanders club. In an attempt to get younger, the Islanders traded Campoli to the Senators for their first round pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft.
Last season, was Campoli’s first full year with Ottawa, and tallied 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points over a 67 game schedule.
Ottawa’s Perspective
Senators General Manager (GM) Bryan Murray was looking to get Campoli signed to a deal before the two sides had to engage in arbitration. Once again, the result was a one-year contract, in which the player was paid slightly more than they are worth.
With Campoli, the Senators get a puck moving defenseman, who has the ability to play on the second power play unit.
It is not certain where exactly Campoli will fit in the Senators defence-core. They have a solid group of offensive defenseman, which includes Sergei Gonchar, youngster Erik Karlsson, Filip Kuba and the young up-start Brian Lee. With the skill at the blue line, it is likely that Campoli was a depth signing. Having him around for another season will give Karlsson and Lee a little bit more time to learn the NHL before they are given a ton of minutes.
The Campoli signing finishes the major, restricted free agent signing for Murray this off-season, and cements his defensive line-up for the 2010-11 season.
Campoli’s Perspective
For Campoli, this was a great signing. He made over double what he made last season, and gets another shot at proving he belongs as a full-time play in the NHL.
Campoli has had a history of injury problems, and if he hopes to remain in the league full-time after this season, he will have to avoid any lengthy injuries.
Campoli has been afforded perhaps his final opportunity to show that he belongs in the NHL as a regular roster player. Campoli has a lot of work to do if he wants to get more minutes than the 17 he was averaging every night last season. Competing with a core of youth, as well as against skilled veterans like Gonchar, will be difficult for the 25 year-old.
Nonetheless, Campoli is going to have to post some better numbers, perhaps recalling the skill he displayed in the AHL with Bridgeport, or even his first season with the Islanders.
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