New Jersey Devils notes: On Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, and a bold idea

Reports indicate Campbell is high on New Jersey's wishlist. But should he be?

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A few New Jersey Devils notes as the draft and free agency fast approach:

On Jack Campbell

The Devils continue to be linked to the 30-year-old netminder on a near daily basis. The latest and greatest comes from Elliotte Friedman, who reported the Devils and Edmonton Oilers are among the parties expected to pursue him as a free agent.

Alex Chauvancy @AlexC_THW

On the latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman said there's nothing really going on with the Maple Leafs and Jack Campbell. #NJDevils, Oilers interested. Friedge said some people told him they think he ends up with the Devils, some think he ends up with the Oilers

I get the interest on the surface. Campbell’s 2021-22 campaign, in aggregate, was solid – he was an All-Star! – and he’s the kind of universally loved guy you want to add a locker room.

He also has started in the playoffs two years in a row, posting an impressive .915 save percentage over the course of 14 games. That experience is a plus.

In a thin goaltending market – with question marks surrounding almost every available option – I can see how Campbell would end up at or near a team’s wishlist.

That doesn’t mean he’s at the top of mine. I have plenty of concerns with Campbell; especially considering he is one of the better bets to land a big pay day.

His consistently poor high-danger save percentage is a huge problem for me. Campbell ranked 47/49 eligible goaltenders (3,000+ 5v5 minutes) in that category over the last three seasons.

That was while playing mostly for a strong Toronto Maple Leafs team that defended better than given credit for. Not ideal.

Making matters worse is he showed no signs of improvement during his breakout campaign in 21-22. Of the 39 most used goaltenders in the NHL, only Ilya Samsonov and Philipp Grubauer garnered worse high-danger save percentages at 5v5.

Using the same criteria, he ranked 29/39 in high-danger shots faced per 60. It’s not as if he was seeing quality look after quality look and simply wore down.

We’re also talking about a guy who has made more than 26 starts only once in his career. Part of that is he was a late bloomer who didn’t catch on until a few years ago. But he also has a bit of an injury history.

Not to mention, he struggled for a large part of this past season.

I fully understand games at the start of the campaign count the same as games in, say, March. A strong performance is valuable at any point. But Campbell didn’t put together many after a hot start.

From December 1st until the end of the regular season, Campbell posted an .896 save percentage. Even in a season with increased scoring, that’s five months of poor hockey while starting for one of the league’s better (regular season) sides.

Is this the guy you want to pay north of $5 million annually for three, four, or even five years?

I’d rather chase someone like high-danger god Ville Husso and use the savings – whatever that number may be – to address other needs. Or, you know, pay Jesper Bratt!

Getting muddy