Mayday Malone

Posted by Mike Giardi June 30, 2008 at 9:44 am

The dream has died. My terrific plan to put Ryan Malone in a Boston Bruins uniform is no longer a reality. I blame Glenn Murray. Hey, someone has to take the hit for preventing me from reporting on a Stanley Cup parade next year, so it might as well be the unproductive and overpaid Muzz.

In truth, I never thought Malone would end up here. The buzz on the streets since the tail end of last year revolves around two players. The first being Marion Hossa, who seems destined to get at least 8 million per season. The B’s could make him fit by eating salaries and likely walking away from what should be around a 3.5 million dollar arbitration award for Dennis Wideman later this summer. Of course, I don’t know why you’d walk away from Wideman, after dealing Brad Boyes for him, and then letting him skate 20-plus minutes per game. His skills are evident. Wideman just needs to be more consistent, the usual critique of a young player.

The second rumor that won’t go away has the B’s making a play for puck-moving defenseman Brian Campbell. Campbell was a key player for Buffalo two seasons ago, but when they realized they couldn’t pay him, the Sabres shipped him off at this year’s deadline to San Jose. With a premium on Campbell’s skill-set, word is he’s looking for 6 million per season. Certainly more achievable for the B’s than Hossa, and probably allows you to keep Wideman around.

Campbell finished with 62 points last year, including 54 assists. The year before, he was a plus 28 for Buffalo, and finished with 6 goals and 42 helpers. He’s also not shy about throwing the body around. See here, and here, and - if you have it in you - check out what he did to PJ Axelsson at about the 35 second mark.