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Buffalo Sabres: 3 reasons signing Jack Campbell would make no sense

By Sion Fawkes

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 23: Goaltender Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends the net against the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena on April 23, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 23: Goaltender Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends the net against the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena on April 23, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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While it is no secret the Buffalo Sabres need a goaltender, they would be better off forgoing the opportunity to sign Jack Campbell, despite his popularity.

Jack Campbell has statistically had a great two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After initially joining the Leafs in 2019-20 via trade from the Los Angeles Kings to be the team’s backup, he instead posted a 51-14-9 record in Toronto, so it’s only natural for fans of the Buffalo Sabres to covet the budding star that is.

Over his career in Toronto, Campbell has also posted a 0.916 save percentage and a goals allowed average of just 2.5. But the real story came in 2020-21, when he enjoyed a 17-3-2 record, a 0.921 save percentage, and just a 2.15 GAA. Unreal numbers, even with a limited number of starts.

But it still means the Buffalo Sabres should not take the bait. In fact, it would make zero sense to sign Campbell. Why? Here are three reasons.

Buffalo Sabres
TORONTO, ON – MAY 14: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks for a puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ( Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images) /

Why the Buffalo Sabres should not sign Jack Campbell: Reason 1 – Never a full-time starter

Here is the fact about Jack Campbell: He’s 30, and he has started just 135 games. Okay, I can hear a few of you screaming Dominik Hasek! While it’s true Hasek didn’t join the Buffalo Sabres until he was 28, after having played a grand total of 25 games, and playing for a President’s Trophy-winning Chicago Black Hawks team, this is not the same scenario.

Campbell never fared well until he got to Toronto, one of the hottest scoring teams in the NHL. While he still logged an outstanding save percentage and GAA in Los Angeles, he finished with a 20-24-5 record and never seemed to be able to overtake incumbent starter Jonathan Quick, despite the latter’s age and deteriorating statistics.

Despite Campbell’s outstanding numbers, the question remains as to whether he can withstand an entire 82-game schedule. He set a career-high in starts this season with 47 (49 appearances). But for a building team like the Sabres, I’d be leery about putting too much cash down for a guy who never appeared in over 49 games in a single season.

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