HabsWorld.net -- 

As disappointment sets in with regards to the Habs’ lack of success this
year, thoughts are quickly turning to the upcoming trade deadline.  Who can
be sold off and what can be had in return?  Today, we start a new ATB
series on trade values from the fans’ perspective.  First up is a preseason
signing that has had a season to forget, defenceman Chris Campoli.

So what do the fans put his value at?  There were some differences in
opinion but the one commonality in almost all of the responses was that a pick
is the most likely a return, most feel he won’t fetch a signed player. 
There were some who think he could still fetch close to the value of last season
(a 2nd rounder):

BCHabnut: "Defensive depth is very important in a playoff run. I would
say a 2nd or 3rd round pick with him going to San Jose."

illWill: "I’ll say Florida acquires Campoli for a 3rd round pick."

A couple of weeks back, there were false reports that he was off to Tampa Bay
for a 4th round pick.  That’s where a lot of our posters feel his value
should be.

Psycing: "I’d say he’s worth a 4th round pick to a team that believes
his offensive abilities will help their powerplay and moving the puck up
5-on-5."

Chris: "If a team is hit hard with injuries on the back end, maybe a
third. More likely a 4th."

habscout: "I think a 3rd-4th round draft pick, or a B-type prospect
are what he could attract. It will depend on how close to the trade deadline a
deal is made, and the relative desperateness or the familiarity of the trading
partner. For example, if the Hawks lost a top 4 defenceman to a long term injury
before the deadline, then they may give up a 3rd pick for him."

Others suggested that GM Pierre Gauthier would likely be looking to recoup
the 5th rounder lost in the Mike Cammalleri-Rene Bourque deal.  Then there
are those who think the ‘value scale’ needs to slide a little further or
disappear entirely.

JoeLassister: "If there were scouts at his 6-7 last games, all we’ll
get is a 7th."

Lovett’s Magnatones: "You guys are dreaming…Campoli is a healthy
scratch on one of the most injured/inexperienced defenses in the NHL. He will
get nothing, and is headed directly to the KHL."

When we’re talking as mediocre a return as it appears Campoli should fetch,
there’s another question that should be asked.  What’s more valuable, a
pick or a prospect picked in the same area?

lafrous10: "I would rather have a pick, even a 5th or 6th, as any
prospect you get is going to be fringe at best."

Commandant: "First ask (Trevor) Timmins…. say its prospect X vs a
4th round pick and ask him, what type of players are projected to be available
in round 4 and do you rate those players better, worse or the same as X? That
should give you most of your answer.  If he’s ranking them the same, I’d
rather have the prospect, because he’s closer to the NHL just due to increased
development time."

As I said at the time of the signing, I’ve never been the world’s biggest
Campoli fan.  As he has demonstrated this year, he’s a blueliner who is on
the fringe most nights.  Based on his play this year alone, he can’t be
worth much.  But, he has a bit of playoff experience, can help run a
powerplay, and can log a lot of minutes if he has to.  Those qualities
should endear him to a couple of GM’s out there, particularly those who are a
little thin in defensive depth.  That still won’t fetch much of a return
but something is better than nothing.  I’m in the group that figures a 4th
to 5th round pick is about what he’ll get; it’s the type of deal where the Habs
can make it now or later.  It would take a serious rash of injuries to get
more than that I would imagine. 

As for the pick vs prospect debate, I’m in the pick camp.  The Habs
could have a half dozen rookies that will be Hamilton-bound next year. 
That’s a deep enough crop while the depth in last year’s draft (that could stay
unsigned) wasn’t too exciting.  Once 2012-13 begins, the herd of prospects
in the junior/collegiate ranks will be thinned, I have no problem with aiming to
get a pick to help keep the cupboards from going completely bare in the years to
come.

You can still have your say by adding your thoughts to the ongoing forum
discussion which is linked below.