Brian Campbell Got Paid

Sources report Brian Campbell has signed an 8 year, $56.8M contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Well, another July 1st, and another year that Doug Wilson brings a knife to a gun fight. $7.1M per season seemed to be about fitting with recent rumors, but my god, 8 years!? No way Doug Wilson signs a contract that stupid. Had Campbell signed with San Jose, the $7.1M per he's getting would put him just behind former NHL Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner Joe Thornton ($7.2) and also put him under contract until just after the nuclear holocaust, or BART coming to the South Bay. DO NOT WANT.

Good for Campbell, though. He got a truckload of money and will be closer to his family in Ottawa (Chicago to Ottawa is about the same distance as San Jose to Phoenix).

For San Jose, this means more precious cap space with which to sit on and do nothing. Speculation has centered on Wade Redden thus far, but I really have to doubt San Jose's ability to sign any big name free agent. (Edit: Yup) Contracts like Campbell's are just not in San Jose's range. I guess we're stuck drafting undervalued talent and honing them into contenders at a fraction of the cost. Woe is me.

Chicago, on the other hand, just got real scary. Two years ago they were a punching bag. Last year they were an improving and dangerous lot. This year they're a playoff team. Buy your tickets to see Kane, Toews, and Campbell now.