Red Wings Campbell Enters NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

The Detroit Red Wings were bringing in Jack Campbell to be serving as a mentor to Sebastian Cossa. Instead, today it is Campbell who is reaching out for help.

The veteran NHL goalie is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, it was announced on Friday.

Jack Campbell (@DetroitRedWings) to receive care from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. https://t.co/n9KQcvBIEB pic.twitter.com/CsD9JhCquG

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 4, 2024

“The National Hockey League Players’ Association and National Hockey League announced today that goaltender Jack Campbell of the Detroit Red Wings will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the player assistance program of the NHL and NHLPA,” read a statement from the NHL and NHLPA.

The reasons for players entering this program are not made public. Under the terms of the joint program, Campbell will return to the Red Wings when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.

Campbell Joined Red Wings As UFA

Campbell, 32, was signing with the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent in the summer. He was agreeing to terms on a one-year deal for the NHL minimum of $775,000.

With returnees Ville Husso and Alex Lyon and UFA addition Cam Talbot already under contract, the expectation was that Campbell’s addition was with the intention of having him play with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and help prepare 2021 first-round draft pick Sebastian Cossa to take the next step toward becoming an NHL goaltender.

Last season was a difficult one for Campbell. Playing the Edmonton Oilers, Campbell went 1-4 with an .873 save percentage. Following a November 4 start against the Nashville Predators, the Oilers were sending Campbell to the AHL Bakersfield Condors.

With Bakersfield, Campbell wound up with a .918 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average from 33 games.

Campbell was in the second year of a five-year, $25-million contract with the Oilers in 2023-24. In June, Edmonton bought out the remainder of that deal, making Campbell a UFA.

Without Campbell, other available goaltending options under contract to join Cossa in Grand Rapids are Jan Bednar, Gage Alexander and Carter Gylander.