Jack Campbell is at the center of Oilers trade deadline plans

Going into the trade deadline this season, the Oilers are in an extremely precarious situation. Backed with the talent of McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers clearly have the ability to make a long run in the playoffs despite clear holes in their roster. This trade deadline, the Oilers will look to add strong reinforcements in trade, but the entire operation will hinge on Jack Campbell.

With only a portion of Campbell's $5M salary being buried in the minors, as it stands, the Oilers could only add about $1M in salary at the trade deadline. The team has been connected to multiple forwards and goaltenders in trade, all of which simply won't be possible if the GM Ken Holland can't find a way to move Campbell's contract. According to OilersNation, the Oilers will only move on from Campbell if they don't have to be the exorbitant price of multiple first round draft picks.


More reports have surfaced earlier this week that the Oilers would not be willing to pay that price to move Campbell, and would rather pursue a buyout. If that's the case, the team will be heavily handicapped with their ability to add to the team at the deadline. At best, the Oilers could maybe fit a third line Center on a cheap deal similar to Nick Bjustad, or they could look to move some players making low-middle salaries like Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak, or Warren Foegele.


If the Oilers are looking to make a splash with a significant addition to the team that could put them over the top in the playoffs, adding a player like Jake Guentzel or Marc-Andre Fleury, the team would desperately need a way to move Jack Campbell. Now impressed by the consistency and play from both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, there's flexibility at the goalie position. With the talent they already have, another addition could lead them to a Stanley Cup victory this year, they just need to find a way to move Campbell.