The Oilers’ goaltending situation has been about as stable as a Jenga tower after a couple of beers, and the latest news just threw another wobbly block on the pile. Former Oilers netminder Jack Campbell, who signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings this past summer after being bought out by Edmonton, has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The league announced Friday that Campbell will be taking a step back from hockey for an indefinite period to focus on his well-being.
Campbell’s time in Edmonton was, to put it mildly, an adventure. The Oilers, desperate for some stability between the pipes after the Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen era, rolled the dice on Campbell with a five-year, $25 million contract in the summer of 2022. The hope was that he would backstop the Oilers to the promised land, but things didn’t quite go according to plan.
In his first season with the Oilers, Campbell played 36 games, and while he put up a respectable 21-9-4 record, he was basically a walking save percentage adventure every time he hit the ice. His .888 save percentage and 3.41 goals against average painted a picture of inconsistency, and he ended up splitting time with Stuart Skinner.
Hopes were high for a bounce-back season in 2023-24, but Campbell struggled mightily. In five games, he went 1-4 with an abysmal .873 save percentage and a 4.50 GAA. The Oilers, needing a spark, placed him on waivers on November 7th and eventually assigned him to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
Down in the AHL, Campbell seemed to find his footing, posting a 18-13-1 record, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.63 GAA in 33 games. He even rejoined the Oilers as a Black Ace during their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Oilers ultimately decided to move on from Campbell, buying out his contract in the offseason.
Campbell will be unavailable for an indefinite period as he receives care, and will return to the Red Wings when cleared by the program administrators.
Campbell’s journey highlights the pressures faced by athletes, especially in a pressure-cooker market like Edmonton. The NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program is a vital resource, providing support and resources for players dealing with a wide range of challenges.
Hopefully, Campbell can get the help he needs and return to the ice stronger than ever. As for the Oilers?
The search for a reliable goalie continues.
