Oilers bring in Campbell to be final piece of Stanley Cup puzzle
Goalie signed five-year contract, expected to be No. 1
by Derek Van Diest / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
2021-22 season: 49-27-6, second in Pacific Division; lost in Western Conference Final
Key arrivals
Jack Campbell, G: The 30-year-old signed a five-year contract on July 13 and is expected to be the No. 1 goalie, replacing Mike Smith, who has not decided if he will be back next season. Campbell went 31-9-6 with a 2.64 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and five shutouts in 49 games (47 starts) last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In seven Stanley Cup Playoff games, he had a 3.15 GAA, .897 save percentage and one shutout. … Mattias Janmark, F: The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract on July 17. He had 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists), including two shorthanded goals, in 67 regular-season games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season. An effective penalty-killer, he is expected to play a bottom-six role.
Key departures
Duncan Keith, D: Keith retired after 17 NHL seasons July 12. He won three Stanley Cup championships with the Chicago Blackhawks and spent his final season with the Oilers, scoring 21 points (one goal, 20 assists) in 64 regular-season games and five points (one goal, four assists) in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Keith was instrumental in helping rookie Evan Bouchard develop into an everyday NHL defenseman. … Zack Kassian, F: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes July 7, he had 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 58 regular-season games last season and four points (two goals, two assists) in 16 playoff games. He had two years left on his contract, and the trade created salary cap space for the Oilers to re-sign forward Evander Kane.
On the cusp
Stuart Skinner, G: The 23-year-old went 6-6-0 with a 2.62 GAA, .913 save percentage and one shutout in 13 games (12 starts) last season. He played the majority of last season with Bakersfield of the American Hockey League and was 22-7-5 with a 2.21 GAA and .920 save percentage in 35 regular-season games. He is expected to back up Campbell in 2022-23. … Xavier Bourgault, F: The 19-year-old had 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) in 43 regular-season games for Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 16 playoff games as Shawinigan advanced to the Memorial Cup. The forward could challenge for a roster spot this season in a top-six role. … Philip Broberg, D: The 21-year-old is expected to vie for a full-time roster spot this year with the departure of Keith. He had three points (one goal, two assists) in 23 regular-season games and no points in one Stanley Cup Playoff game last season. In 31 regular-season games with Bakersfield, he had 23 points (four goals, 19 assists), and in four Calder Cup Playoff games one assist. … Dylan Holloway, F: The 20-year-old was limited to 33 regular-season games with Bakersfield last season due to a hand injury, scoring 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists). He made his NHL debut in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. Holloway should start the season in the AHL but could end up on the NHL roster by the end of the year.
What they still need
The Oilers are still in the market for a right wing who can play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, and another depth defenseman. Forward Jesse Puljujarvi fell out of the top two lines after starting last season beside McDavid but could get another opportunity at that spot this season after signing a one-year contract Tuesday and avoiding an arbitration hearing. Edmonton re-signed defenseman Brett Kulak to a four-year contract after acquiring him March 21 from the Montreal Canadiens, but it could use another established veteran on the blue line.
They said it
“We’re trying to build something. Certainly, when I came here the nucleus was here and we’re trying to build around that nucleus, trying to get deeper, trying to get more dimensions to our hockey club. I feel good we went to the final four last year, I feel good we made the playoffs three years in a row, and the ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup.” — general manager Ken Holland
Fantasy focus
Kane had the best points-per-game average of his NHL career (0.91; 39 points in 43 games), was tied for sixth in the League with a plus-25 from his season debut on Jan. 29 and ranked 15th in shots on goal per game (3.53) for the Oilers last season. The forward was also one of five players with at least 20 goals (22) and more than three hits per game (3.14); the others were Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, Tanner Jeannot of the Nashville Predators and Marcus Foligno of the Minnesota Wild. Kane finished tied with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche for the most goals scored in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (13) and had more than a point per game (17 in 15 games). Kane thrived on a line with scoring leader Connor McDavid (123 points) and should be considered a top 75 fantasy player after re-signing with Edmonton. — Pete Jensen
Projected lineup
Evander Kane — Connor McDavid — Xavier Bourgault
Zach Hyman — Leon Draisaitl — Kailer Yamamoto
Ryan McLeod — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Jesse Puljujarvi
Warren Foegele — Mattias Janmark — Derek Ryan
Brett Kulak — Evan Bouchard
Philip Broberg — Cody Ceci
Jack Campbell
Stuart Skinner
