[Habsfan84]

Unable to sign their potential unrestricted free agent to a long-term deal, the Buffalo Sabres have traded defenceman Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks.
There are no details yet on who comes to Buffalo in return.
The Sabres decided to get something for Campbell before he walked away for nothing at season's end. In January, Campbell told the Sabres he would not negotiate with the team for the rest of the season.
It's likely the Sabres wanted to avoid what happened last summer with Daniel Briere and Chris Drury. Both standouts decided to test the free agent market last season and left for lucrative deals. Briere signed an eight-year contract worth $52 million with the Philadelphia Flyers while Drury signed a seven-year deal worth $51.5 million with the New York Rangers.

After an outstanding junior career with the Ottawa 67's, the smooth-skating blueliner was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round of the 1997 Entry Draft. He honed his skills with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League before gaining full-time spot with the Sabres in the 2002-03 campaign.

In the 2005-06 season, Campbell's offensive skills began to take flight, scoring 44 points in 79 games. Last season, he picked up 48 points but showed the most improvement in own zone, finishing the year at +28.
Campbell, who is earning just $1.75 million, has five goals and 43 points in 63 games this season.

Sharks acquire Campbell from Sabres