Oilers look to sign Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard and 4th line center. The Edmonton Oilers [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers] are heading into the 2023-24 season with major expectations. To help their chances of having a big year, they will need these two players to bounce back for them. Let's discuss them now. JACK CAMPBELL The Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/]' biggest bounce-back candidate is Jack Campbell [https://puckpedia.com/player/jack-campbell]. Signed last offseason [https://www.nhl.com/news/jack-campbell-signs-five-year-25-million-contract-with-edmonton-oilers/c-334790728] with the expectation of being their long-term starting netminder, the 31-year-old struggled noticeably during the regular season. Although his 21-9-4 record was certainly solid, his 3.41 goals-against average (GAA) and .888 save percentage (SV%) displayed that he was far from reliable. Jack Campbell [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NTg4NTgzOTAzMjQxNjY3/usatsi_19366224_168401874_lowres.jpg] Jack Campbell Yet, there is a clear reason to believe that Campbell can turn things back around. The Michigan native was excellent when called upon during the playoffs, posting a 1.01 GAA and .961 SV% in four appearances. With that, he was very good for the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs] during the 2021-22 campaign, as he sported a 31-9-6 record and a .914 SV%. The Oilers will be hoping [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-should-not-trade-for-this-goalie-who-wants-out] that Campbell can regain his previous form from here. CONNOR BROWN Connor Brown [https://puckpedia.com/player/connor-brown]'s 2022-23 season was a complete nightmare. The 29-year-old, unfortunately, suffered a torn ACL just four games into the year. Due to the severity of his injury, he never returned to the ice for the Washington Capitals [https://puckpedia.com/team/washington-capitals]. Yet, now that he is healthy, he will be looking to have a big year to make up for his lost one. Related: Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Tracker [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/edmonton-oilers-free-agent-tracker] Brown is in a great place to succeed in Edmonton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/this-is-why-the-oilers-targeted-connor-brown], too. He is expected to play top-six minutes, likely on a line with his former Erie Otters teammate [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/forward-connor-brown-set-to-reunite-with-connor-mcdavid-on-oilers/], Connor McDavid [https://puckpedia.com/player/connor-mcdavid]. It will be fun to see how well Brown performs while playing with a stacked Oilers forward group. I'm personally expecting a strong year from him. Related: Edmonton Oilers Re-Sign Forward Prospect [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/edmonton-oilers-re-sign-forward-prospect] Related: Oilers Unlikely to Trade Defenseman, Insider Says [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-unlikely-to-trade-defenseman-insider-says] Related: Oilers Have Fourth-Line Center Option Besides Jonathan Toews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-have-fourth-line-center-option-besides-jonathan-toews]
