Jack Campbell Placed On Waivers Amid Oilers Struggles
The Jack Campbell experience in Edmonton is going from bad to worse. With the Edmonton Oilers currently in second-to-last-place in the Pacific and six points out of a playoff spot, the team is placing him on waivers. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed the news earlier Tuesday:
Edmonton will be putting Jack Campbell on waivers today
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 7, 2023
Remember, the Oilers are on the hook for $5 million per season until 2027! After a shaky first season in net, the former Kings and Maple Leafs tender has regressed even more.
In five games this year, he sports a 1-4-0 record. His save percentage went down from .888 to .873 and his goal-against average ballooned to 4.50. Barring any surprises, Stuart Skinner should be the No. 1 goalie for the time being.
Edmonton desperately needs a shot in the arm. Only 11 games in, they hold a 2-8-1 record and could sit as many as eight points out of the last wild card spot if the Blues win their game in hand. This is the time of year when you’re supposed to establish playoff seeding. The Oilers are currently seeing the gap grow further and further. We knew this roster was not perfect, but Ken Holland has some decisions to make all over the roster.
How Much On The Line?
The 2023-2024 season was supposed to be the year for Connor McDavid and the Oilers. They have lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion in back-to-back years. Leon Draisaitl is a free agent in 2025 and McJesus is set to hit the open market in 2026. If this year is another lost year in Oil Country, then some seismic changes could be on the horizon.
For reference, I wrote this article over two years ago. Since then, the Oilers have proceeded to get eliminated in the conference finals in 2022 and second round in 2023. Fans have been able to see two hall-of-famers play together for the better part of the decade.
Time is ticking. It has been ticking. Those two will always be professional but I would love to be a fly on the wall in that locker room.
Jack Campbell is in a very tough spot. Last summer, everyone thought he was the final piece to the puzzle–a capable starter to hold down the fort for a championship squad. So far, no cigar. He really needs to figure things out or else he is going down as one of the worst free agent signings in recent memory.
