Welcome to the next edition of NHL Rumours! The Edmonton Oilers prevail and live to fight another day. Although, the offseason is in full swing for the rest of the league. There are numerous key names available for trade and the free agency market should be intriguing. Also, candidates are listed for buyout purposes. Our latest NHL Rumours swirls around the Oilers in this regard.
NHL Rumours
Rumour: Frank Seravelli from Daily Faceoff discusses the buyout of Jack Campbell
The Edmonton Oilers won in convincing fashion in Game 4. That victory keeps them alive for the Stanley Cup Finals. However, it is never too early to look towards the offseason and the moves that can be made. For the Oilers, it isn’t just a matter of what they can add but what they can subtract.
Goaltending is one of the hottest commodities right now on the open market. There are key names available via trade but also in free agency. Another name could join that list, as Jack Campbell is an option for buyout purposes.
Buying Out Campbell Makes Sense
The latest NHL rumors surrounding the Oilers surrounds goalie Jack Campbell. After signing in free agency, things have not gone according to plan and keeping him part of the plans doesn’t make much sense.
His first season with the Oilers, he posted a subpar 3.41 goals against average and an .888 save percentage. It was the second heaviest workload of his career. However, this season was a disaster from the start, which leads to him being a buyout candidate.
Campbell started five games this season for the Oilers. His numbers changed drastically, posting a 4.50 goals against average and an .873 save percentage. In addition, Campbell was demoted, waived, and sent to the AHL. Stuart Skinner is the man in net now. And instead of turning to Campbell at any point, they turned to Calvin Pickard who showed he can be a stable backup goalie.
With three years left on his deal and a salary cap hit of $5 million per season, burying that salary cap is just not wise. It may be painful but cutting the ties now benefits the team going forward. A buyout would give the Oilers an additional $2.85 million in the summer.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
