Campbell credits Kane
CHICAGO — Credit Patrick Kane with another assist. And give one to the city of Chicago.
Kane, the Blackhawks’ leading scorer, helped persuade highly sought free-agent defenseman Brian Campbell to agree to terms with the ’Hawks on Tuesday. Playing in the Chicago market also appealed to the 29-year-old veteran, who signed an eight-year, $56.8 million contract.
“One of the things I looked at was how the city was,” Campbell said. “I really enjoyed playing in Buffalo [for parts of eight seasons], with the way people were revved up about the game. Chicago is turning into that. That’s really exciting for me.”
A little lobbying from Kane — who grew up in Buffalo — also helped Campbell decide on the ’Hawks. Kane, the NHL’s Rookie of the Year with 51 assists last season, started selling Campbell on the idea of playing in Chicago during the All-Star Game in Atlanta. He reinforced the notion when the players ran into each other at a restaurant in London, Ont.
“I was in London visiting friends, and we saw each other,” Kane recalled. “I said, ‘Hey, man, we’d love to have you in Chicago. It’d be great. You could help us a lot.’ He said, ‘Tell them to make me the right offer. I’d love to go.’
“Obviously [General Manager] Dale Tallon made the right offer.”
