The Edmonton Oilers shocked many fans when they placed goaltender Jack Campbell on unconditional waivers with the intention of buying out his contract. This move comes just two years after Campbell signed a lucrative five-year deal worth $5 million annually.
The decision to buy out Campbell’s contract means that the Oilers will have dead salary cap space for the next six seasons. This move will cost the team $1.1 million in cap space in 2024-25, with that figure steadily increasing in the following years. CapFriendly projects that the Oilers now have $12.933 million in cap space to address their needs as they look to win their first title since 1990.
Campbell’s future with the Oilers had been in doubt for some time due to his poor performance. He started the season with a 1-4 record, a 4.50 goals-against average, and a .873 save percentage. These underwhelming stats led to Campbell being placed on waivers and eventually demoted to the AHL affiliate.
Campbell’s struggles were further compounded by his lackluster performances in the first year of his contract. A stronger goaltending option emerged in the form of rookie Stuart Skinner, who eventually took over as the Oilers’ No. 1 goaltender. When Campbell was demoted, Calvin Pickard was promoted and formed a solid tandem with Skinner.
With the buyout of Campbell’s contract, the Oilers are signaling a shift in their goaltending strategy. Pickard’s recent two-year contract extension solidifies his place as a key player for the team moving forward. As the Oilers aim to compete for a championship, they will need strong goaltending to support their efforts on the ice.
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