Campbell Back With Red Wings; Placed on Waivers

From the outset, there was a realistic chance that Jack Campbell would never be playing a game in goal for the Detroit Red Wings.

Today, that likelihood seems almost to be a certainty.

Campbell entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program just as the Red Wings were breaking training camp in the fall. On Sunday, news came the he’d been cleared to return to the ice.

Almost immediately, the Red Wings were placing Campbell on waivers.

The Detroit Red Wings have placed Jack Campbell on waivers, per @FriedgeHNIC. pic.twitter.com/08U3iE5nqd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 17, 2024

On the surface, this certainly appears to be a cold-hearted move. It brings back memories of a couple of years ago, when he Wingswere also placing forward Jakub Vrana on waivers shortly after he also was spending a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program.

However, the Red Wings are placing Campbell on waivers for two reasons. Firstly because there’s no place for him on the NHL roster. Secondly, because the orginal intention when signing him as a UFA in July was that he play with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. He was to be serving as a mentor to 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa.

Red Wings Have No Room For Campbell

The reality is that situation has also changed dramatically. The Red Wings now have NHL veteran Ville Husso in Grand Rapids with Cossa. Arguably, they are the best goalie tandem in the AHL. Goaltender Gage Alexander was also recalled on Sunday to the Griffins from the ECHL Toledo Walleye.

The fact of the matter is that there’s no longer a place in the organization for Campbell. If he isn’t claimed on waivers by another NHL team, it’s difficult to see a place for him to place in the Detroit organization.

. @CopperRockGR Building Strong Update: The Red Wings reassigned goaltender Gage Alexander to the Griffins from the @ToledoWalleye #GoGRG

DETAILS >> https://t.co/vHDgHZpcrJ pic.twitter.com/Ps6kxBB6a0

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 17, 2024

Jan Bednar and Carter Gylander are the goalies in Toledo. The Red Wings want 2019 draftee Gylander, a rookie pro, seeing significant action this season. Unless there’s an injury in Detroit to Cam Talbot or Alex Lyon that requires the recall of Husso, there’s no place for Campbell in Grand Rapids.

It’s unfortunate, because Campbell voluntarily sought out the help of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. Yet the fact of the matter is that any way you slice it, Campbell looks to be the odd man out of the Red Wings goaltending situation.