The case for packaging Campbell with picks and prospects for an upgrade in goal
Jack Campbell, the genuinely nice guy who I previously said should be up for the Lady Byng along with the Vezina, is now struggling. The Leafs' shiny new starting goalie is starting to look more like Frederik Andersen than he is himself and it's a bit concerning. This could simply be a bump in the road, or evidence that he wasn't ready for the intense workload he was given to start the season. Either way, there's some reason for worry in Leafs land - especially with regard to what his next contract may look like.
Jack is a UFA this summer, he's got a big pay day coming his way thanks to his unbelievable start, but is he «the guy»? As much as we'd all love for him to be, his play of late has me concerned that come playoff time, he won't be able to get it done. It pains me to say it, but a Jack Campbell sign-and-trade may be the smartest play here, as much as nobody wants to hear it. Before you start throwing tomatoes my way, hear me out.
The Anaheim Ducks are almost good enough to be competitive this season, they're still in the playoff hunt, but realistically they aren't contenders just yet. John Gibson would bring in a big haul of picks and prospects, and the Leafs might be smart to pay that price. Gibson is a true #1 and one of the best goalies in the league. He's got a long track record of excellent play with a heavy workload, and a manageable cap hit of $6.4 million for this season and the next 5.
The cap hit sounds big, but by the trade deadline, the Leafs could make it happen. Without an extension in place for Campbell, the Leafs would have to give up a package that included a Campbell, a first rounder, a top prospect or two and possibly another pick to take a contract like Nick Ritchie's back. With an extension in place, the Leafs may be able to pull off the move and save themselves the additional pick or prospect.
If they were able to pull the move off, however, they'd have secured their future between the pipes for the next 5 years, as well as a true number one for a run at the Stanley Cup this season. The move would also allow plenty of time for Joe Woll, Keith Petruzzelli, Vyacheslav Peska and Artur Ahktyamov to develop and perhaps one of them might emerge as a promising NHL goaltender.
As crazy as it sounds, trading Campbell may be the Leafs' best move for now and the future if the Ducks are willing to listen - especially if Campbell's term ends up a year or two shorter than Gibson's. The Ducks have a promising goaltending prospect in Lucas Dostal who appears to be NHL-ready or close to it.
Of course, this is all just one big galaxy-brained proposal for the sake of being creative and thinking outside the box. For now though, I suppose we'll have to have some faith that Campbell can and will get back to his early season form. The uncertainty of his contract status for next season is the real concern. The hope is that Dubas and company are able to either extend him or make a move that is in the best long-term interests of the club.
