Just yesterday, it seemed like the Edmonton Oilers had no way out of the Jack Campbell contract heading into this year's trade deadline. Despite his recent strong play in the AHL, no team was willing to take a risk on him, until now. According to NHL insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Philadelphia Flyers are showing some interest in Campbell.
Pagnotta revealed that the Oilers are one of the teams interested in Sean Walker, and the Flyers would be amenable to taking on salary in the trade to make a deal work. Of course, the Flyers are still in a rebuilding mode, and will need to replace goalie Carter Hart for the long term now that he's left the team indefinitely.
If the Oilers front office is able to pull off this move before the trade deadline, it would be a smash success. They could acquire a solid right handed defenceman upgrade on Cody Ceci for the playoffs this year, and free themselves of the next 3 seasons of Campbell at $5M.
If the Flyers get desperate enough for a goaltender and are willing to take the risk and buy low on Jack Campbell, this deal actually has potential for happening. Campbell struggled mightily when he was initially sent down to the AHL, but has been much better lately, and has a .935 save percentage now in his last 7 games - perhaps Campbell actually has raised his trade value a bit.
