Perhaps we'll never know if Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun authored the theory that Brian Campbell was somehow pressured not to resign in Buffalo, initiating his trade to San Jose at the deadline. That's because Simmons used the rhetorical cop-out of "there are those who suggest" rather than identifying the accusing party or acknowledging this intriguing notion as his own: There are those who suggest that Campbell was under great pressure, quite possibly from the Players' Association, not to sign a deal in Buffalo that would have undercut the market place of a high-end free agent defenceman. That is, too often, the dilemma for a pending free agent: Does the player do what is right for himself, or does he stand up for the supposed greater good of his union brethren? By interpreting Campbell's body language and hearing his spoken words, it was clear he didn't want to or wasn't ready to leave Buffalo. Maybe he should have spoken to Ray Bourque or Martin Brodeur, about the success athletes can have in singular markets, earning less than they could somewhere else.Yes, that would be the same Ray Bourque who demanded a trade to a contender back in 2000. It's an interesting theory -- unfortunately, there are those who suggest Steve Simmons is full of it.
Lyle Richardson doesn't buy this theory, as the market for free-agent defensemen won't live or die based on Brian Campbell's salary -- I'd argue that Dion Phaneuf's recent contract will have much more influence for years to come. Matt over on Battle of Alberta breaks down the economics:
For the gajillionth time folks, the total amount earned by NHLPA members is a fixed sum determined solely by NHL hockey-related revenues. If Brian Campbell makes an extra million dollars, that comes (proportionally) out of the pockets of every other player in the league. The NHLPA has no reason to want to torque the salary of any individual player (or group of players in comparable situations, e.g. #1 defensemen). And indeed, since 2006, the NHLPA has stepped aside at player arbitration hearings because of the inherent conflict: more money for Player #1 means less for Players #2 thru #750.I assumed that Campbell might take a hometown discount to remain in Buffalo. He didn't, but I don't believe it's because of some grand conspiracy by the NHLPA to jack up free agent prices, if only because defensemen aren't all cut from the same cloth. What percentage of Brian Campbell is someone like Michal Rozsival worth? It's apples and oranges.
Campbell wasn't looking for his union brethren or his Buffalo teammates -- he was looking out for No. 1, and who can blame him? The only problem I have with Soupy is what Calgary Herald writer Bruce Dowbiggin cited recently, which is his participation in an embarrassing trend in the NHL where every selfish free-agent-to-be thinks they're Gretzky leaving Edmonton:
Why is it, then, that players who do use their leverage look so glum? Brian Campbell made his contractual bed in Buffalo then acted as if the Sabres had stolen his puppy. Ditto Ryan Smyth last year in Edmonton. If you're Sabres GM Darcy Regier -- who has squandered Chris Drury, Daniel Briere and Campbell inside of a year -- you can look glum. But Campbell? In San Jose with Joe Thornton? Please.
