The Edmonton Oilers have made a surprising move by placing goalie Jack Campbell on waivers, just sixteen months after signing him to a lucrative $25-million contract.
The 31-year-old netminder from Michigan is being waived “for the purpose of assignment,” indicating that he will likely be sent down to the team’s AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, California.
Campbell finds himself in the second year of a five-year contract, earning $5 million per season, regardless of whether he plays for the Oilers or in the minors.
This unexpected demotion comes as a blow to Campbell, who had high hopes for his time in Edmonton.
In his career, Campbell has played in 116 NHL games, although he has yet to make an appearance in the regular season for Edmonton.
this year in the AHL, he recorded two wins and two losses, while only allowing eight goals against.
The Edmonton Oilers have been struggling immensely this season, starting with a disappointing 2-8-1 record, which places them second to last in the NHL standings.
Campbell’s performance has not helped the team either. Since losing the starting job to Stuart Skinner last season, Campbell has struggled, posting a dismal goals against average of 4.5 and a save percentage of .873 in just five games.
Unfortunately for Campbell, his poor performance puts him near the bottom of the league’s goalie statistics.
