Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 8th year defenseman Andrew Campbell(48) had only a minor league contract, signed a couple of days after free agency, as he headed into 2015/2016 after playing 33 NHL games with Arizona Coyotes in the previous campaign.
Sure, he only had one assist to his credit with a -13 rating on a super young under-performing but he’s mostly a big 6’4″ 206 lbs. punishing blue liner to play against so getting points isn’t exactly his forte.
Invited to the Leafs‘ camp he had a stellar showing earning himself a two-year two-way deal and he was only reassigned right before the start of the new season.
He took over captain’s duties for Toronto Marlies and has been guiding this team from the get-go to a league best record and his +39 plus/minus is tops.
The large d-man is also affecting the score sheet nicely with a career best 9 goals and 23 points in 65 AHL games.
Not having to worry about free agency again heading into 2016/2017 it will be interesting to see if the 28-year old will finally be able to establish himself in the big league.
Andrew Campbell(45) Arizona Coyotes
Arizona Coyotes‘ 7th year defenseman Andrew Campbell(45) is finding his place in the NHL.
He’s been up with the parent club for 22 games and looks to be holding his spot.
The former Los Angeles Kings‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#74 overall) was in the prospect system for the previous six seasons skating 414 regular season games and 35 more in the playoffs with AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs.
Never one to excel on putting the puck in the net or feeding the man for a goal, he’s always there to play an absolutely in your face, bruising style without taking many penalty minutes, the 6’4″ 208 lbs. blue liner has also been a plus player at +26.
He got into three games with the Kings last year during the final year of his 2-year extension but as an unrestricted free agent he went looking for more time; and found it.
Although the now 27-year old still doesn’t connect on the score sheet with only one assist, he plays a good 20+ minutes a game for a team that struggles to win, survive.
Set to become unrestricted once again, it is probably a good bet the former Portland Pirates‘ assistant captain will agree on another year to continue the rebuild.
Andrew Campbell(2) Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#74 overall) defenseman Andrew Campbell(2) is rewarded with a two-year, two-way contract after posting career high assists, points and plus/minus last season with their top minor league affiliate Manchester Monarchs.
In 76 2011/2012 regular season games he scored a pair of goals and added 17 assists with a +14 rating, good enough for 2nd on the team.
He has yet to make his NHL debut but with his consistent play over the last two years, the 24-year old has to be close to a recall.
The xl-sized 6’4″ 207 lbs. prospect has already skated in a hefty 298 AHL games. Although he plays a physical game defending the zone, the big blue liner could continue to add more muscle and a little extra weight for greater impact.