Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell Sure Loves Playing in Toronto

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 13: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a water break against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 13: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a water break against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell is one of the best additions to this team made by general manager Kyle Dubas. He has earned the right to be Toronto’s number one goaltender.

Campbell has been very effective since being traded in the 2019-20 season. In 35 starts for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Campbell has a record of 24-7-4 with a .922 SV% and a 2.20 GAA. More impressive is how well he has played in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. Campbell has a home record of 12-1-1, and the fans couldn’t be happier. (Stats from: Hockey-Reference.com)

The netminder made a name for himself last season when he set a new NHL record for starting his season with 11 consecutive wins. He went on to finish the shortened season with a 17-3-2 record. The number one spot became Campbell’s after Frederik Andersen got injured and missed the last half of the season.

It is no surprise that Campbell has started this season on a winning note. He is 4-2-1 so far and has a sparkling .929 SV% and 1.99 GAA in eight games played. Campbell has only had one bad start this season, and that was in the 7-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 23rd. He allowed five goals on 21 shots in that game.

Jack Campbell’s Journey To The Toronto Maple Leafs

Campbell was drafted 11th overall in the first round of the 2010 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars. During his time in the Stars organization, Campbell spent most of it playing in the AHL or ECHL. He only played one game for the Dallas Stars, and it was not a good one. Campbell allowed six goals on 47 shots, and the Stars lost.

He posted a 56-43-16 record in the AHL with the Texas Stars and a record of 14-7-1 in the ECHL with the Idaho Steelheads. Campbell probably thought he would never play in the NHL again, but his luck changed when the Stars traded him to the Los Angeles Kings on June 25th, 2016.

During his first season in the Kings organization, Campbell played in 52 games for the Ontario Reign. He posted a 31-15-6 record with a .914 SV% and a 2.52 GAA. He would continue to bounce up and down between the NHL and AHL playing just 57 for the Kings over four seasons.

His luck changed forever on February 5th, 2020, when the Kings traded Campbell and Kyle Clifford to the Toronto Maple Leafs. At the time, it seemed like Clifford was the main piece, and Campbell was just an add-on. Turns out that Campbell was the main piece and the trade is a win for general manager Kyle Dubas.

It turns out the Campbell was just a late bloomer and is now playing like the goaltender Dallas thought they were going to get when they drafted him. Toronto is more than happy to reap the rewards as Campbell continues to become a true NHL starting goaltender.

Next. Tavares Red Hot to Start the Year. dark

During his post-game media scrum on Tuesday, Campbell declined to confirm reports that he and the Maple Leafs have begun talks about a contract extension. He did, however, explain how much he loves playing here.   Hopefully, a contract is worked out soon, so there is one less thing to worry about for next season.

Home / Analysis