Oilers target goalie Campbell for buyout, Lightning acquire rights to Guentzel

The Edmonton Oilers have placed goaltender Jack Campbell on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.

Campbell signed a five-year, $25-million US contract in July 2022 to be Edmonton’s No. 1 crease option.

However, he never found traction with his new team after leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs. Campbell lost the starting job to Stuart Skinner and was eventually put on waivers before being demoted to the American Hockey League.

The 32-year-old has three years left on his deal.

In other moves, the Oilers made qualifying offers to forwards Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie and James Hamblin, along with defencemen Philip Broberg and Noel Hoefenmayer.

Edmonton did not make qualifying offers to forward Carter Savoie and goaltender Ryan Fanti, making them free agents.

Bolts make play for Guentzel

The Tampa Bay Lightning got a head start on free agency by acquiring the rights to high-scoring winger Jake Guentzel on Sunday.

The Lightning sent a 2025 third-round draft pick to Carolina. The move allows the Lightning to sign Guentzel before he hits the open market on Monday.

Guentzel is coming off scoring 30 goals this past season for the Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. Tampa Bay cleared more than $11 million in salary cap space Saturday by trading away Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot.

General manager Julien BriseBois said there were many ways he could use the space but that he was not planning to re-sign Steven Stamkos, the longtime captain and face of the franchise who is expected to test free agency.