The Edmonton Oilers are in trouble. As they expected to be a Stanley Cup competitor this season, things have not worked out well. They have started this season with a dismal 5-11-1 mark, ranking them 30th in the NHL. Much of their issues have been surrounded around inadequate goaltending. With the Oilers’ goalie issues, Arizona Coyotes trade rumors involving Jack Campbell have begun to appear.
Rob Ellis of nhltraderumor.com wrote about a trade rumor circulating involving the Coyotes trading for Jack Campbell. It seemed a bit much for the Edmonton team to relinquish two young players in Philip Broberg and Xavier Bourgault going to the Yotes along with a first-round 2024 draft pick. With the proposed return only being defenseman Matt Dumba, it seems a trade that is definitely one-sided. Don’t misunderstand… the Coyotes would love to take Campbell and his $5 million contract through 2026-27 for that type of return. That is why it is unrealistic. The Oilers would want a goalie in return since they currently have starter Stuart Skinner and third-liner Calvin Pickard manning the net.
A More Realistic Trade Proposal
Now, since the Oilers are hunting endlessly for a goalie solution, Pickard doesn’t seem to fit the bill. He only has a career record of 35-55-10, with a 3.05 GAA and a .903 save percentage. A much better solution would be the Yotes sending Karel Vejmelka to the Oilers to even out the trade. The Coyotes have loved Vejmelka since they claimed him from the Czech League in 2021. He has performed well on a team with poor results over that time period. His three-year stay in Arizona has shown him with a 33-62-11 record. His .899 SV% and 3.51 GAA are not especially appealing. One must take into consideration that the team in front of him has not been very good.
During his first season in Arizona, the Coyotes ranked dead last in goals scored with a putrid 2.51 goals per game. They gave up 3.77 goals a game, putting them 30th. In the following 2022-23 season, the team did a bit better, scoring 2.74 goals a game while allowing 3.60 tallies a game.
So, could Vejmelka help an ailing Edmonton team striving for a Cup? It would certainly seem so. He is still under contract with a $2.75 million contract good through next season. A tandem of Skinner and Vejmelka may really boost the Oilers’ chances to recover from their dreadful start this season.
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Arizona Coyotes Trade Rumors – Arizona’s Point of View
Adding Vejmelka into the trade proposal may change the return, but the salaries are about equal. The Coyotes would add two budding young players in the deal. Plus, that all-important first-round pick would give them two first-rounders, three second-round picks, as well as three third-round choices. One can just see Bill Armstrong‘s rubbing his hands together in anticipation of adding to his collection of draft picks.
Broberg, who has not seen much action on the Oilers’ blueline, could really excel in Arizona. He has only participated in 78 NHL games, with two goals and nine assists to his credit. He needs valuable ice time, and he would get his shot in a Coyotes’ uniform. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after this season and is currently earning $863,333. He is just 22 years old and would fit in nicely with the other young defenders on the Arizona blue line.
Xavier Bourgault is another young player who has 73 AHL games under his belt and has scored 14 goals and 25 assists. He could play with the Tucson Roadrunners while he gains valuable experience.
While the jury is still out on whether Campbell can revive his NHL career, he finally had a good game in Bakersfield. He shut out the Henderson Silver Knights and may be on the road to recovering his NHL skills. That may leave the Oilers in a quandary as to whether to keep him around or trade him.
Final Analysis
Trades like this are difficult to judge. It seems that Edmonton is looking to move Campbell, and according to Frank Seravalli of dailyfaceoff.com, Vejmelka is on his list of potential candidates to fill the net for Edmonton. Most every NHL trade has to help both teams, or else it will never happen. The Oilers are in a bind and don’t want to act impulsively, which could only worsen their situation. The Coyotes again can use their cap space as an asset to better their team going forward. Whether this particular trade scenario is the answer for both teams is yet to be determined. In the meantime, it certainly is fun to examine the possibilities.