Hawks acquire Ottawa defenseman Campoli
ST. PAUL, Minn. — In acquiring Chris Campoli from Ottawa on Monday before the NHL trade deadline, the Blackhawks believe they got another defenseman who fits the style they want to play.
The 26-year-old Campoli can move the puck and is a solid depth guy with a promising offensive upside. In 58 games with the Senators he was minus-3 with 3 goals, 11 assists and 34 penalty minutes. He was second on the team in blocked shots with 70 and second in hits with 73.
“We were looking for somebody with some versatility and some experience who had played in a lot of situations, and Chris certainly fits that bill,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said.
“We wanted to try to find a defenseman who fit into the style we want to play. He’s got the ability to move the puck, he has good mobility, and I think he complements the group of defensemen we have.”
Bowman desperately needed to add at least one defenseman after Jordan Hendry was lost for the season Sunday night with a torn ACL.
The Hawks sent a conditional second-round draft pick and minor-league winger Ryan Potulny to Ottawa for Campoli. The Hawks also would get a seventh-round pick if the Senators resign Potulny.
Bowman said he tried to get more done than just Campoli — perhaps add a second defenseman or a center — but it wasn’t a buyer’s market.
Only 20 trades were completed at Monday’s deadline, the lowest total since 2000.
“Our priority was to get something done, and we certainly accomplished that,” Bowman said. “We had a lot of talk about doing other things, I think every team did, but it was a little different this year than previous years.
“There were half as many trades as last year. There’s only a few teams, really, that are out of the playoff race in the East and West, so that means most teams were looking to add rather than looking to sell players.
“When that happens there just aren’t a lot of players in play. We were in on a lot of things, but we’re really happy with the one acquisition we were able to make.”
Campoli was just as happy to leave the last-place Senators for the defending Stanley Cup champions.
“There are so many positives in the situation for me,” said Campoli, who is a restricted free agent after the season. “I’m a puck-moving, up-ice defenseman and I know from playing against Chicago they’re a puck-possession, aggressive, up-tempo style of team, so I definitely think there’s a fit there.
“In the past I’ve played on some teams that have struggled and now I was telling someone I can have a realistic conversation abut the Stanley Cup.”
Campoli called the atmosphere in Ottawa “negative,” and was eager to get into the positive environment surrounding the Hawks.
“The expectations to win, there’s so much passion in the city for the Blackhawks,” Campoli said. “I’m excited to be part of that. It’s a challenge as a player when you have that expectation day in and day out to win games and ultimately championships.
“Ottawa has been somewhat of a negative atmosphere just because of how things have gone. I’m excited to go to a place where things are more positive and there’s so much more promise with the young core players and the team and the city.”
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