Oilers Rumors: Latest on Jack Campbell's Future in Edmonton

When the Edmonton Oilers signed Jack Campbell to a free-agent contract at five years $25 million total, they didn't expect to run into any issues two seasons into the deal. Unfortunately for all involved, things haven't worked out so well for Campbell and he's currently riding the bus in the AHL.

On the season, Campbell has appeared in five NHL games, posting a 1-4-0 record along with a 4.50 GAA and .873 SV.%. Meanwhile since being sent down to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, 'Soup' has managed a 3-4-0 record, with a 3.28 GAA and .893Sv.%. While there's been a shutout mixed in, not necessarily the overall results GM Ken Holland was looking for.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Campbell's future is becoming a bit more clear. Friedman believes the Oilers want to give the veteran netminder another chance at the NHL level before making a final decision on finalizing a trade. Any deal will cost the Oilers a significant sweetener which could be as much as a non-protected first-round pick and third-round pick.

I think the Oilers are committed to this and I do expect to see him. What do you think it would cost the Oilers to move Campbell right now? If the idea is to buy him out, it’s going to cost $10 million. So the Oilers are looking at a situation where they either have to keep him and buy him out at the end of the year or they have to trade a high pick and/or a good prospect to get it done.
So, I think the Oilers say, ‘we’re stupid if we don’t give this one more run.’ Now, the challenge with them is that they don’t have a huge runway, they don’t have a lot of time to be patient with this. But I believe their choice was ‘we are not doing ourselves enough justice if we don’t give him one more shot.’
That’s what I think they’re going to do. As soon as they figure out the roster, I think that’s what they’re going to do.

Look for Campbell to be recalled sometime this week and perhaps his 'last shot' begins before the Christmas break.