Rangers missed out on Burns, could they be targeting Campoli?

In today's post, Larry Brooks, NY Post, says that although the New York Rangers "got their man" by signing Brad Richards, they missed out on acquiring top-pairing defenseman Brent Burns who was traded to the San Jose Sharks at the NHL draft.

The Rangers were apparently very interested in the 26-year-old puck-moving defenseman, but the Minnesota Wild's asking price to too much for the Rangers to handle.

Burns and a second-round pick were traded to the Sharks in exchange for wingers Devin Setoguchi and Charlie Coyle, and a first-round pick. The Rangers probably would've had to give up a forward such as Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan, along with a prospect and their 15th overall draft pick to acquire Burns.

The Rangers are still searching for a defenseman, though, and according to a source, they may be targeting Chris Campoli.

Campoli, 27, is currently a RFA for the Chicago Blackhawks, and he is scheduled for salary-arbitration on August 3. The two-way defenseman will not be returning to Chicago next season, as the Blackhawks have already announced that if he is not traded prior to August 3, they will walk away from his arbitration award no matter what, making him a free-agent.

Campoli split the 2010-11 season with the Ottawa Senators and Chicago, totaling four goals and 17 assists in 77 games. Campoli is a good skater with great ice vision and passing skills, but the young defenseman is often-criticized due to his lack of consistency and injury-problems.

While their may be better options out there for the Rangers, signing Campoli, who is still young, to a one-year deal would not be such a bad thing. Campoli can play on the bottom defensive pairing, or take over Steve Eminger's position from last year as an alternate defenseman. He has offensive upside, and the he may be worth taking a chance on.

If the Rangers attempt to acquire him through trade, I would expect them to unload a forward such as Erik Christensen, or else a late-round draft pick.

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