Oilers Jack Campbell Was 'Pretty Surprised' By AHL Demotion

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell didn't see his recent demotion to the AHL coming. The veteran netminder, who is still fresh into his contract extension with the Oils admitted to the media this week that being sent down was a bit of a shock and surprise.

Campbell was demoted to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors after struggling out of the gate this season. 'Soupy' posted a 1-4-0 record with the Oilers this season, to go along with a 4.50 goals-against average and a dismal .873 save percentage.

Campbell met up with the media ahead of his first start with the Condors, a game where he let in four goals on 20 shots including one that had a serious odor to it, and had this to say:

(It was) pretty tough, not gonna lie. I'm pretty hard on myself, I think that's pretty well documented around the hockey world. Obviously, it's a results league up there - really anywhere - but I felt like I was playing well, had some confidence. But obviously, the numbers weren't good enough.

The 31-year-old Campbell is in the second season of a five-year $25-million deal and while his winning percentage was better last season, his save percentage was still worrisome at .888. Seems like things have caught up to him even more and the pressure of the Oilers failures have snowballed and now he sees himself waived and in the minors. In the minors and letting goals like this in....