The Detroit Red Wings goalie Jack Campbell will enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, Max Bultman of The Athletic reported. Campbell was one of four goalies on the Red Wings’ roster throughout the preseason. According to a press release, Campbell, “Under the terms of the joint program, he will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.” Campbell signed with the Red Wings on the first day of NHL free agency.
Using three goalies is something that general manager Steve Yzerman was not excited about doing yet again. During a press conference on June 21st Yzerman said, “I don’t see us really doing three goaltenders throughout the course of the season,” Yzerman said. “That wasn’t really the plan last year, either, but injury kind of dictated that. And we kind of hemmed and hawed a little bit at the end of the season as far as OK, what do we want to do and then Ville (Husso) got hurt and the issue was resolved.”
Campbell is a 32 year old Port Huron, Michigan native and was looking forward to playing for the team in the state where he grew up. During the 2023-24 NHL season Campbell played in only five games for the Edmonton Oilers. The Red Wings team still has Alex Lyon, Ville Husso, and Cam Talbot on the roster and will use a mix of these three goalies until Campbell is available to return to the team’s roster.
