Jack Campbell Hits Waivers – Is This the End of His NHL Journey?

In a surprising move, the Detroit Red Wings have placed goaltender Jack Campbell on waivers, as reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Campbell, who signed a one-year, league-minimum contract with the Red Wings on July 1st, has been absent from the ice since entering the NHL Player Assistance Program on October 4th. His placement on waivers suggests that he is now activated and preparing for a return to professional play.

Once a promising talent, Campbell's trajectory took a drastic downturn following his impressive performance as the starter for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2021-2022 season. In that campaign, he secured 31 wins and maintained a .914 save percentage across 49 games, showcasing statistics that eclipsed those of all Leafs goalies, except for Frederik Andersen, since 2010. However, his success led him to ink a lucrative contract with the Edmonton Oilers, where hopes of continued excellence quickly faded. After only managing 21 wins and a disappointing .888 save percentage in 36 games, Campbell lost his starting position to rookie Stuart Skinner, who shined with 29 wins and a .914 save percentage.

With Campbell's stock plummeting, the Oilers made the tough decision to put his hefty $5MM cap hit on waivers. Despite passing through unclaimed, he rebounded impressively with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, posting an 18-13-1 record and a .918 save percentage. However, the Oilers ultimately chose to buy out the remaining three years of his contract this summer, marking a significant setback in Campbell’s professional career.

Moving to Detroit was seen as a fresh start for Campbell, but competition in the Red Wings' net has been fierce. The team significantly bolstered its goaltending corps by signing Cam Talbot to a two-year, $5MM deal, aiming to solidify their starting position against Alex Lyon and Ville Husso. Talbot has earned his stripes so far, boasting a remarkable .927 save percentage through 10 games, while Lyon has fended off competition with a solid .903 save percentage.

As Campbell waits to see if another NHL team will take a chance on him, fans and analysts alike are left wondering: can he reclaim his former glory, or is this the beginning of the end for the once-promising goalie? The answer may lie in his upcoming performance, should he get another opportunity to hit the ice in the NHL.