Campbell Unloaded to Florida

			2010-2011 NHL Statistics				July 1st Status
To Florida	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
Brian Campbell	D	32	65	5	22	27	5	$7.1 million
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To Chicago	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
Rostislav Olesz	F	25	44	6	11	17	3	$3.125 million

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to make some key moves at the draft, as they have moved Brian Campbell, an offensive defenseman with a massive salary cap hit, down to the Florida Panthers for underwhelming winger Rostislav Olesz.

Campbell did not have a great year with Chicago in 2011, but he still finished 55th among all defensemen in scoring, so there is great potential for Campbell to do more with more minutes, not to mention having a brood of young defensemen that he can help fit into the Panthers' system and the NHL.  Campbell should be able to provide a good presence for a team that is desperate to make the playoffs.

Olesz was none too impressive either for the Panthers in 2011, scoring only 17 points in 44 games, not really making a dent in overall scoring standings in the league.  The former 1st round pick in 2004 has yet to live up to his 7th overall billing, but that may just be the environment he has had in Florida.  A new chapter and a new chance ahead for him in Chicago.

Some obvious savings again come to light for the Blackhawks, as they try and make themselves for cap flexible in this off-season, likely to poise themselves for some big contracts down the line here.  The Blackhawks now have 12 players signed on for a projected cap hit of $46.8 million, while the Panthers are still miles away from the cap floor with 11 players signed on at $21.3 million.  Flexibility quickly becomes the name of the game and adding some names like this for Florida does do them a whole lot of favours.