Oilers GM Ken Holland reveals the plan for Jack Campbell in 2023-24

Coming into this summer, there were some rumours circulating that the Oilers could look to use a buyout on Campbell or that they could look to package him with a significant sweetener to move the final 4 years of his deal. Unfortunately, neither situation worked out for the Oilers, as they both came with substantial downsides. On one hand, they'd have to lose a key piece of their future. On the other hand, a buyout just one year into his deal would cost the Oilers a good amount of money for twice the length of the remaining contract.

I can imagine that you know where this is going. The Oilers and General Manager Ken Holland have revealed the plan for Campbell this season.

Time will tell if this is the right decision, but there's no way that Campbell's 2023-24 season can be any worse than his 2022-23 season, right?

Campbell played in 36 games for the Oilers last season, posting a 21-9-4 record, along with 1 shutout, a 3.41 goals-against-average and a .888 SV%. The record is pretty deceiving. 21-9-4 is a very good record, but his peripheral numbers aren't that of an NHL goaltender - certainly not a starter.

The Oilers banking on Campbell having a huge bounce back season is certainly a choice, especially when they're gambling the prime years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.