Following a fantastic performance on Thursday night versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs fans will be pleased to hear that Jack Campbell is talking contract extension with the team and is eager to stay. Campbell absolutely stole the show on Thursday evening in a 2-1 comeback win for the Leafs but with it came concern that his wonderful performances were going to make him more expensive an option than the Maple Leafs could afford.
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According to Luke Fox, Campbell did note that he’s focused on hockey but also confirmed the report by Nick Kypreos that contract extension negotiations are underway with the Maple Leafs: He didn’t reveal how those talks were going, but did say, “There’s nothing more I’d love than to stay here.”
Maple Leafs fans will be relieved to hear this as it potentially means a deal could be closer. Speculation was that after signing defenseman Morgan Rielly to a new long-term contract the club had shifted its focus to Campbell and rumors were that the numbers might come in around the $5 million per season mark.
Campbell Will Be Have Value Around the NHL
It’s becoming clear with each passing game that Campbell is the real deal. He’s 25-7-4 as a member of the Leafs’ roster since coming over in a trade from the Los Angeles Kings and he’s got a .932 save percentage so far this season. It’s early, but he’s earning Vezina Trophy consideration and having that hardware would make him an attractive addition for so many teams. If the Leafs can lock him up now, they’d be well-served to do so.
The longer it takes to get him signed, the more likely it is Campbell looks to test the free-agent market as an unrestricted free agent. There aren’t a ton of great goaltending options out there this summer with Darcy Kuemper, Marc-Andre Fleury and Mikko Koskinen among the names available outside of Campbell.
Campbell has a ton of leverage here and while he’s perhaps the most humble and respectful player in the NHL, his agents will be informing him and updating him on a constant basis about his value around the league. There are a few teams that could use a good starter at the age of 30.
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