Ex-Oilers goalie Campbell on waivers for second-straight season
Jack Campbell may not be on the Edmonton Oilers anymore, but he’s still making headlines with his new team.
The former Oilers goaltender has had a rough start to his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings. He has yet to play in a professional game this season after he checked into the NHL’s Player Assistance Program back in October.
Campbell has completed the program and is now cleared to play. The Red Wings, however, don’t currently have a spot for him on the NHL team with both Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon on the roster.
As such, Campbell has been placed on waivers for the second straight season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report.
Campbell entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Oct 4.
He is now cleared to return https://t.co/mk3W9nakXg
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 17, 2024
Campbell was initially put on waivers last season by the Oilers after a very poor start to the 2023-24 NHL season. He spent the rest of the season playing with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors before Edmonton ultimately decided to buy him out over the summer.
With his time in the Alberta capital over, the Red Wings stepped up and signed the veteran netminder to a one-year deal worth $775,000. He appeared in one preseason game with Detroit before taking a leave of absence.
Being put on waivers will allow every other NHL team to have a chance at claiming him. However, considering the circumstances, it’s much more likely that Campbell will go unclaimed and join the Red Wing’s AHL team.
While his NHL playing days may be at risk of being behind him, Campbell is a very easy player to cheer for and there are sure to be plenty of Oilers fans hoping that he is in a better place than he was to start the year.