Connor McDavid hints at Oilers’ possible move during interview
Is Edmonton about to pull THIS move?
HockeyFeed
The Edmonton Oilers are red-hot, despite losing for the first time to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, and they are working on improving the roster ahead of the trade deadline. It has been reported that the top priority on the market for Edmonton is the addition of a top-six forward. It could therefore explain captain Connor McDavid’s comments that he made during the 32 Thoughts podcast interview. The superstar spoke about the goaltending situation in Edmonton, and it sounds like he is possibly hinting at a return, from none other than Jack Campbell.
As Elliotte Friedman points out, McDavid’s comments did not go unnoticed:
“Small thing, but a big thing from Connor McDavid : during our 32 Thoughts podcast interview, talking about goaltending, he mentioned Stuart Skinner , Calvin Pickard …and Jack Campbell . That did not go unnoticed. Campbell was on a heater at AHL Bakersfield a couple of weeks ago, but, as mentioned, the Oilers were in no rush to mess with what worked. It’s a crazy world. A month ago, the idea of Ilya Samsonov leading Toronto seemed as far-fetched as Tracy Chapman showing up at the Grammys. It’s very possible the Oilers will dabble in the goalie market, but you never know if you’re going to need someone again.
Campbell has re-entered the conversation in Edmonton since he’s been excelling at the AHL level lately. In his last seven games with AHL Bakersfield, Campbell has a .935 save percentage. When he was first sent down to the Condors, Campbell struggles badly, losing four of his first five games while giving up 16 goals on 138 shots.
Campbell was 1-4-0 with a 4.49 GAA and a .873 save percentage before his demotion and is only expected to be way better after this reset, whenever he comes back to the NHL level. Which could be sooner than we think, or should I say than McDavid thinks.
If Campbell makes a return to the Oilers, it would mean that Pickard would be sent back to the AHL’s Condors and we could see, once again, this playoff season, a duo of Campbell and Skinner in the crease for the Oilers, who are hoping to go all the way.
Remember what McDavid said ahead of the 2023-24 season: this is Cup or Bust.
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