Oilers make goalie move

In case you missed it, goalie Jack Campbell cleared waivers on Wednesday. The netminder had been placed on waivers Tuesday after he’s put up a 1-4-0 record this season with a .873 save percentage and a 4.50 goals-against average.

On Wednesday at the waiver deadline, Campbell cleared and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

The Oilers also make a call up from the Condors, recalling Calvin Pickard in time for tomorrow’s game against the Sharks in San Jose.

The Oilers demoted Campbell, who remains signed on his five-year, $25 million contract signed with the Oilers as a free agent in 2022. This freed up $1.15 million on the cap though most of it is being used to cover Pickard’s approximately $750,000 cap hit.

The 31-year-old netminder is 2-2 with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors this season with a .939 save percentage and a 2.03 GAA. He last played in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in 2021-22, going 1-1 in three outings.

In 116 career NHL games, Pickard has a 35-54-10 record with a .903 save percentage and a 3.03 GAA.

Edmonton is expected to start Skinner in San Jose, though he hasn’t been that much better with a 1-4-1 record, 3.99 GAA and .856 save percentage in seven appearances. He was in goal for Edmonton’s 6-2 loss against the Canucks at Vancouver on Monday night, giving up six goals on 36 shots.

Let’s see if the demotion of Campbell sends a loud message in the Oilers’ dressing room, pressuring them to step up and get back on track before it’s too late.

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