Welcome back, Jack.

The Edmonton Oilers will be starting Jack Campbell Monday night as they pay host to the San Jose Sharks. Campbell’s struggles have been well-documented this season.

Despite posting a 17-9-4 record this year, Campbell’s also posted a 3.57 goals against average and a .882 save percentage. He’s been one of the worst goaltenders in the league statistically this season, and hasn’t played a game since March 4th when the Oilers lost 7-5 to the Winnipeg Jets with Campbell giving up six goals against.

In fact, Campbell’s only other start in the last calender month was on Feb. 25th, when the Oilers lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-5. Campbell gave up four goals on 14 shots and was pulled early in the second period.

This past offseason the Oilers signed Campbell to a five-year contract with an average salary of $5-million. While that’s the average going rate for a starting goalie in the NHL, Campbell’s season has been well below average and the team will be at a cross roads this offseason.

Do they bank on this season being an outlier and bring Campbell back next season? Or do they look to get out of his contract by way of trade or buyout. If the Oilers were to buyout Campbell, the team would face a cap hit of roughly $1,541,667 over the next eight seasons. It would dip to $1,141,667 in 2024-25, before rising to $2,341,667 in 2025-26 and $2,641,667 in 2026-27. Between 2027-2031, the cap hit would be $1,541,667.

Here’s the full projected lineup for tonight’s game against the Sharks:

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