"Add another unrestricted free agent to the list.

In a bit of a new twist, the Chicago Blackhawks have walked away from restricted free agent Chris Campoli before his arbitration hearing was originally scheduled to take place on Aug. 3.

Because the team and player had both agreed to part ways, they were able to speed the process up, speak with an arbitrator today and allow Campoli to be set free two weeks ahead of time.

As a technicality, Campoli was "awarded" a $2.5-million deal, which Chicago then walked away from. In reality, that outcome was predetermined.

"The decision was made to move the date up to today because Chicago likes Chris and didn't want him to be in a position where he was suddenly an unrestricted free agent in August," Campoli's agent Rich Evans said.

"As long as the NHL and the Players' Association were in agreement, and the player and his agent and the team were in agreement, there was nothing holding us up from doing this and moving the date."

Evans added that multiple teams have already enquired about Campoli's availability. "