Brian Campbell is hoping to return to the Panthers next season, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports.

Campbell is hoping to return to the Panthers next season, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports.

Analysis:

Campbell, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, just finished out an eight-year deal for which he earned $7.14 million annually. He managed just one assist for his only point in the playoffs, but Campell led all Cats with a plus-31 rating in the regular season. He was a key reason why the Panthers boasted the seventh-best defense in the league in 2015-16, and it would make sense for the Panthers to retain his services if the price is right.