Jack Campbell talks about leaving Toronto to join the Oilers as a UFA; Muzzin, Tavares comment on Campbell's departure
It was a bittersweet week for former Leafs netminder Jack Campbell, as he had to depart Toronto, leaving a situation and a team that he really loved to pursue the biggest contract in his career and a new 5-year, $25M deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
During a Marner Assist Foundation charity event this week, Campbell was bombarded with questions from the media members in attendance at the event about his negotiations with the Leafs and his eventual signing with the Edmonton Oilers. Campbell had originally declined to answer the questions, but in true Jack fashion, he quickly opened up and spoke about the move from Toronto to Edmonton and what it means to him. While he's certainly made some life-long new friends in Toronto, "it's tough" were some of the first words out of his mouth regarding the move out West, though he's admittedly excited to start the next chapter of his career.
Campbell, who was standing with Jake Muzzin fielding questions, pointed to Muzzin and fellow former King Kyle Clifford as two of the guys he'll miss the most, but also indicated the fans and the rest of his Leafs teammates as people who he'll miss as well. Campbell also stated that the Leafs have a very bright future and wished his former teammates the best.
As far as Muzzin goes, he's often a man of few words with the media. With regard to Campbell's departure, Muzzin shook it off and simply said "it's business", with a bit of a grin and a head shake.
For Campbell, he looked at Edmonton as a team who he can win with. He pointed to their trip to the Western Conference Finals and the fact that they believe in him as a goaltender as two of the main reasons for choosing the Oilers as his desired destination in free agency.
Leafs captain John Tavares called Jack Campbell "the whole package", stating that things really began to turn around for the Leafs with Campbell in goal. Tavares called Campbell a "tremendous person" and a "great goaltender" before stating that he and the rest of the team are very happy to know that he got a deal he deserved and that he's heading into a good situation in Edmonton. "That type of player, that type of person, you're always going to miss... it's just the nature of the game and the business side of it," he said.
The Leafs will now start a new chapter with former two-time Stanley Cup Champion Matt Murray and former 1st round pick and highly-touted goaltending prospect Ilya Samsonov as the new tandem in Toronto.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 15 | 674 ANSWERS Jack Campbell talks about leaving Toronto to join the Oilers as a UFA; Muzzin, Tavares comment on Campbell's departure Can a Murray/Samsonov tandem provide the Leafs with improved goaltending this season? | ||
| Yes | 347 | 51.5 % |
| No | 144 | 21.4 % |
| Not sure, but hopefully | 183 | 27.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
