Overview
As documented, the New Jersey Devils have shown interest in Blues goaltender Ville Husso. While the goalie market for free agency isn’t loaded, there is another name the Devils have circled on their list.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not progressed with pending UFA Jack Campbell. He can sign anywhere he pleases come July 13. Seeking a deal anywhere between $5-6 million, Toronto may not be able to keep him. Is Jack Campbell worth prying to the Garden State? Or is it another deal that can go bad?
His Background
Jack Campbell was originally a first-round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2010. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Kings, but he did not see a heavy workload in the crease until 2018-19.
With the Kings, he was primarily behind Jonathan Quick. In 2018-19 he posted really nice numbers. He posted a 10-14-1 record and had a save percentage of .928 and a 2.30 goals-against average. In a smaller sample size of 20 games, he saw his numbers drop as he would post a 2.85 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Still respectable numbers.
Toronto then made the trade for the netminder. In his first season with Toronto, he sent shockwaves through the city. In 22 games, he posted an absurd 17-3-2 record. He went on to post the best numbers of his career, sporting a 2.15 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
He has a career 2.53 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage. He had the makings to be a Leaf for the foreseeable future, but at a crossroads with contract talks, he could be a hot commodity on the open market.
Season Statistics
Jack Campbell did not have a bad season per se. Capable of providing above-average goaltending, he helped take the Maple Leafs to the playoffs. He would go on to face the biggest workload of his career. In 49 games, Campbell would go on to post a .914 save percentage (19th) and a 2.64 goals-against average (17th). Among goalies who played at least 15 games, he finished 39th with a -2.3 goals saved above expected.
Campbell would go on to play in all seven playoff contests. Upon helping Toronto take the Tampa Bay Lightning to Game 7, He finished with a subpar .897 save percentage and a 3.15 goals-against average. It should not hurt his stock in the end.
Why The Devils Should Do It
It remains to be seen if they aim for Darcey Kuemper, but Jack Campbell is one of the bigger goalies on the market. It would be an upgrade in net, and the Devils finally have someone they can play with, Blackwood. Both have proven to carry heavy workloads in the past, and with a tandem like that, it’ll produce more wins. The Devils have the cap space, and this move would fit a big need for the club. It is no secret that a goalie is the priority.
Why They Should Stay Away
Jack Campbell is going to be entering his 30s. That is not bad, but is giving him a longer-term deal at the price he is seeking going to age well? Jack Campbell was a middle-of-the-pack goalie providing above-average goaltending for a high-flying, scoring Toronto team. He is willing to bet on himself in hopes he can replicate the success he had this season.
Other options for the Devils will prove to be better than Jack Campbell. But if you are trying to upgrade and this is what’s been handed to you, you sometimes do what you have to do.
