Campbell’s play a big plus for Hawks
Hockey people generally have varying opinions of plus-minus statistics.
Some say it’s an important number in defining a player’s defensive play. Others believe it can be misleading and should be considered more of a team stat, reflective of the group of five on the ice.
But when a plus-minus stat gets to be in the neighborhood of Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell’s plus-23, eyebrows are raised in a good way.
“There’s a reason why you’re plus-23,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “It’s pretty remarkable when you look at the core group who are in and around all plus, but not at that rate. He’s out there against good players and he’s playing big minutes. It’s an indication that things are going pretty well.”
Campbell’s plus-23 is third best in the NHL behind only Philadelphia defenseman Andrej Meszaros (plus-29) and Anaheim defenseman Toni Lydman (plus-25).
And Campbell has appeared in only 34 games, 10 fewer than Meszaros and Lydman.
“One area of our game where we wanted more involvement was activation of our defense, and he seems to be a big part of that game,” Quenneville said. “He’s been very active in the offensive zone and that really enhances our team game.
“We’re on the attack more and he’s a big part of that. He’s been consistently doing that for us and it’s something we want to get the whole group doing.”
Campbell also has helped Niklas Hjalmarsson rebound from a poor start, when he was minus-8 in 11 games without his defense partner.
“Right off the bat he got suspended and he was a little banged up initially as well,” Quenneville said of Hjalmarsson. “Like last year in the Nashville (first-round playoff) series, when Soupy came back it elevated our team game as well.
“That pair has been pretty consistent through the last couple years when they’re together.”
All-star stumping:
Patrick Sharp and all-star captain Eric Staal are from the same place, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and train together during the off-season.
Sharp already has sent Staal a text asking to be picked high in the Jan. 28 live fantasy draft prior to All-Star Game.
“I had a text from Patrick Sharp saying he voted for me as captain so I better pick him,” Staal said.
Under the league’s new format for the All-Star Game, Carolina’s Staal and Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom will pick the teams as captains.
“I don’t really know Lidstrom that well and I know Staal a little bit, but I don’t have their numbers or anything to reach out to them,” joked Patrick Kane.
Joel Quenneville and Hawks assistant Mike Haviland won’t know which players they’ll be coaching during the All-Star Game until the draft — or how many of their own guys they’ll have.
“We’ll see how it all plays out,” said Quenneville, automatically one of the all-star coaches because of the Hawks’ Stanley Cup win. “You could have two (Hawks) on one team and two on the other. I would think we’re going to get to coach one of our guys at least.”
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