The Hockey News’s Adam Proteau examined the six players who were bought out by their rights-holders during the June buy-out period. Proteau notes that now-Red Wings-signed goaltender Jack Campbell, a Port Huron, MI native, is probably headed to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins:
3. Jack Campbell, G, Detroit Red Wings: Noted good guy Campbell has had a rough go of it in recent years, and following the 2023-24 campaign, the 32-year-old goaltender had the final three seasons (and $15 million) of his contract bought out by Edmonton. Campbell has latched on with the Red Wings on a $775,000, one-year contract.
Campbell is currently fourth on Detroit’s netminding depth chart behind veterans Ville Husso, Alex Lyon and new Wing Cam Talbot, so unless there are significant injuries and/or underwhelming performances by the three goalies ahead of him, Campbell is likely to be an American League player, the same way he was an AHLer for most of 2023-24. He may get perhaps one final opportunity to prove himself an NHLer, but that opportunity won’t come soon.
Continued; at this point, it does indeed look like, should Campbell want to earn a spot in the Red Wings’ crease, he’s going to have to beat out at least one of Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon and/or Ville Husso.
Right now, Campbell’s slated to help mentor Sebastian Cossa (and push Cossa for starts) in Grand Rapids, while it appears that Carter Gylander will turn pro while working with the Griffins-contracted Jan Bednar on the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.
