After streaky, inconsistent play from Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen, one of the Oilers’ top offseason priorities was upgrading in net. It was a challenging time to be shopping for goalie help because there was a surplus of teams in need of upgrades and a shortage of quality goaltenders. Edmonton decided to be aggressive regardless, signing Jack Campbell to a five-year, $25-million contract.

Less than a year in, many look at it as one of the riskiest contracts in the league.

Campbell’s -22.5 goals above expected according to Evolving-Hockey’s model ranks third-to-last in the NHL, ahead of only Spencer Martin and Elvis Merzlikins.

Edmonton’s been bailed out by the emergence of Stuart Skinner. Skinner’s notched a .912 save percentage and saved 11.5 goals above expected. Credit the Oilers for quickly signing him to an extension with a $2.6 million cap hit for the next three years after this one — it ensures they’ll at least have some cost certainty and a probable bargain to offset the inefficient value of Campbell’s deal.

One reason for hope is that Campbell’s overcome tremendous adversity in his career before. He knows what it’s like to have sky-high expectations, fail and then bounce back — that’s what happened when he was drafted No.11 by the Stars, struggled in the minors for years and then rebuilt his stock in Toronto. Hopefully, that resilience can come in handy.