Panthers get Campbell from Blackhawks

Brian Campbell is being reunited with a familiar face.

The Chicago Blackhawks dealt the defenceman to the Florida Panthers in exchange for winger Rostislav Olesz during Friday night's NHL entry draft.

"We're fortunate in our organization that we've got a lot of young players who we need to find spots for," general manager Stan Bowman said, adding: "We're excited that we added a first-round pick. It's not easy to do that these days the way those are valued around the league."

The move gives Campbell a chance to work with Dale Tallon again, the same general manager who originally signed him to an eight-year, $57.12 million US deal back in 2008 as a free agent. 

In order to complete the transaction, the 32-year-old had to waive his no-trade clause.

Campbell, a Strathroy, Ont. native, has 54 goals and 258 assists in 626 career games played with the Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Blackhawks.

He had 19 goals and 38 assists over three seasons with the Blackhawks, and was the third-highest paid player on the team last season at $7,142,000

Olesz, 25, is a six-foot-one forward out of Czechoslovakia who has spent all six of his NHL seasons with the Panthers.

He had six goals and 11 assists in 44 games last season.

Olesz's career-high in goals is 14, which he's accomplished twice (2007-08, 2009-10).

Bowman had a busy day. He traded left-winger Troy Brouwer to the Washington Capitals for the 26th pick in the first round, giving them two selections.