Significant update on Jack Campbell surfaces ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final

To say that things haven’t gone according to plans for goalie Jack Campbell this past season is the understatement of the century. The Edmonton Oilers netminder was expected to be the team’s starting goalie for years to come when he signed a five-year contract as a free agent back in the summer of 2022 after his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he was sent to the minors after a rough start with Edmonton this season, going 1-4-0 with a .873 save percentage, and even went on to struggle with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. There is nothing new here.

With the Oilers heading into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, trailing 0-2 might I add, the free agency season is fast approaching and on Wednesday, insider Frank Seravalli explains how he believes the next thing coming for Campbell is a buyout by Edmonton. This is how Seravalli puts it in his latest article on Daily Face-Off:

“Jack Campbell struggled nearly from jump street in Oil Country, seemingly unable to perform under the weight of his contract. He was waived and banished to AHL Bakersfield in November after the team’s 2-8-1 start. Campbell has been back with the team as an emergency third goaltender in the playoffs, but it was telling that he wasn’t even on Edmonton’s radar as Stuart Skinner struggled in Round 2 and they turned to journeyman Cal Pickard . They didn’t trust Campbell. It’s hard to imagine that changing. Yes, the buyout isn’t pretty, but the Oilers can’t continue with $3.85 million in buried cap space devoted to Campbell. Edmonton needs relief from that and stretching out the term of Campbell’s deal in exchange for $2.85 million in cap savings for next season makes sense.”

He explains that the buyout structure would be the following if the Oilers are set on going that route: 6 seasons varying from $1.1 mil to $2.6 mil.

It sure sounds like Campbell’s days as a member of the Oilers organization are numbered with this report of a potential contract buyout coming in the offseason.