The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that they signed Gregory Campbell to a two-year deal today.
They didn’t provide the financial terms, but Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that it’s worth $3 million overall (so a $1.5 million cap hit each season).
Hockey fans, writers and executives sometimes obsess about “character” – just watch some TV analysts discuss the Phil Kessel trade to soak in such talk to your heart’s content – and Campbell is generally regarded as a heart-and-soul guy.
He’s not going to light up the scoreboard (six goals and 12 points in 70 games with the Boston Bruins in 2014-15), but Campbell brings hustle and grit – not to mention hits – to the table.
He also fits the general theme of the Blue Jackets team as a relentless bunch. Back in March 2014, Ryan Johansen made a positive comparison between Columbus’ roster and “rats,” and Campbell would likely add another layer of greasy resilience to that group.
Campbell, 31, isn’t going to be a make-or-break type presence, yet he might be the kind of grinding force who could conceivably wear down other teams if the Blue Jackets are dangerous in 2015-16.