Off-Season Countdown: Could Devils target Campbell?

Ahead of the NHL Draft on July 7 and the opening of free agency on July 13, TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.  

While talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and pending unrestricted free agent Jack Campbell have been quiet, could another team be interested in getting a head start on signing the 30-year-old netminder?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports the New Jersey Devils may attempt to acquire Campbell's rights if the Leafs are unable or elect not to re-sign him. 

Brooks adds that the Devils will be looking to move Mackenzie Blackwood this summer and take their goaltending in a new direction. He points to New York Rangers pending UFA Alexander Georgiev as another potential option in net, though more likely in a tandem role than a true No. 1 starter.

Acquiring Georgiev's rights from the rival Rangers could prove costly, but Brooks writes he'd be willing to trade 2016 first-round pick Michael McLeod if he were in New Jersey.

Campbell, 30, posted a 31-9-6 record with a .914 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average this season - his first playing in more than 31 games. He started all seven playoff games for the team against the Tampa Bay Lightning, posting an .897 save percentage and a 3.15 GAA. He is coming off a two-year, $3.3 million contract signed with the Los Angeles Kings in 2019, prior to being traded to Toronto.

Georgiev, 26, appeared in 33 games with the Rangers this season, registering a 15-10-2 record and a 2.92 goals-against average.

As for Blackwood, he remains signed at a cap hit of $2.8 million through next season. The 25-year-old struggled to a 9-10-4 record this past season with a .892 save percentage and a 3.39 goals-against