Canadiens Sign Chris Campoli to One-Year Contract

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have signed defenseman Chris Campoli to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. He was a restricted free agent this past summer with the Chicago Blackhawks and was scheduled for an arbitration hearing on August 3. However, the Blackhawks were not interested in paying the arbitration award and the hearing was moved up, with Campoli being awarded a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The Blackhawks walked away from the award, making him an unrestricted free agent. In 77 games last season with the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks, he had four goals and 17 assists for 21 points. This is an okay signing for the Canadiens, as Campoli will bring some offensive depth and puckmoving skill to the team's blueline. However, his defensive game is a bit lacking and he doesn't play with a lot of consistency, and more than likely, he will play as a sixth or seventh defenseman next season. With speculation that Andrei Markov may not be ready for the start of the 2011-12 season, Campoli will add sufficient depth until Markov makes his return to the lineup.