TORONTO — Jack Campbell has been through plenty of tough times.
Selected by the Dallas Stars with the 11th pick in the 2010 draft, the highly-touted goaltender waited until the 2018-19 season to finally get a run of NHL action with the Los Angeles Kings.
Having come through the lows early in his career, the 30-year-old was named to his first all-star game this season after a start to the schedule with the Toronto Maple Leafs that saw him lead the league with both a .939 save percentage and 1.86 goals-against average on Jan. 1.
The script, however, flipped dramatically in the new year, with cracks showing in Campbell's armour.
Shots he had previously gobbled up were getting through, his rebound control had fallen off, and body language suggested bubbling frustration.
A rib injury that finally sidelined him March 8 stopped the statistical skid of an ugly 16-game stretch that included an .876 save percentage and 3.87 GAA.
Campbell is hoping the time off spent healing will also provide him something that's worked in past – a mental and physical reset.
"It is pretty huge, just to let my body heal, get stronger," he said following Friday's practice. "And my mind, just chilling out and having some fun, working hard.
"Ready to get back at it."
Campbell will get that chance Saturday when the Leafs visit Philadelphia to open a four-game road trip that will also see them take on Tampa Bay and Florida – rivals battling Toronto for playoff positioning atop the Atlantic Division – before wrapping up against Dallas.
"Looks like he's refreshed," Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of his No. 1 goalie. "Natural for that to happen when you can separate yourself from the game for a little while. We wish he remained healthy, but there are some positives that come with being able to take some time away.
"It's a long season, especially for a guy who plays that position."
Toronto was forced to lean on Campbell early when free-agent signing Petr Mrazek pulled his groin in his first start before subsequently reaggravating the injury. The 30-year-old has also struggled mightily this season when he has played – Mrazek recently passed through waivers – but had a couple of decent starts before hurting his groin a third time Tuesday, which will likely rule him out at least six weeks.
Campbell said he suffered his rib injury Feb. 22 in a 4-3 overtime loss in Columbus. He would go on to produce a paltry .831 save percentage in three subsequent appearances, including allowing five goals on 25 shots in a wild 10-7 victory over the Detroit Red Wings where he was pulled, before shutting things down to rehab the ailment.
"Not going to make any excuses on my performance,” he said. "It's not fun to play through some pain, but it's part of the game.
"I'm just ready to go."
Known for his own dogged work ethic long before arriving in Toronto from L.A. via trade in February 2020, Campbell has been impressed with drive shown by 25-year-old rookie netminder Erik Kallgren, who steadied things with Campbell hurt and Mrazek floundering.
"Erik's been massive for us," he said of the Swede. "He's very calm, it's impressive.
"Just excited to play some great hockey between the two of us."
Keefe said Campbell appears ready and recharged following his layoff.
"Jack's energy really never has changed," said the coach. "But you can certainly see him having lots of bounce in his step around the room these days.
"He's excited to get back to play."
And hopeful the reset gets him back on track.
MUZZIN CLOSE BEHIND
Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin took part in contract drills Friday for the first time since suffering his second concussion of the season last month.
The 33-year-old travelled with the team, but won't play in Philadelphia.
Muzzin said he pondered what life will look like after hockey in the wake of successive head injuries.
"You're always thinking about your health and what's really important," he said. "But I feel good."
Muzzin added staying patient in his recovery hasn't been a challenge despite a burning desire to battle with his teammates.
"I understand what it is and the situation I'm in," he said. "I want to be with the guys playing, but there's a lot more important things in life than this great game.
"I still want to be a part of it ... I want to play and I'm working towards that."
LYUBUSHKIN SPEAKS
Fellow blue-liner Ilya Lybushkin spoke with reporters for just the second time since being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes last month.
The bruising Russian has impressed with his hard-nosed style, but was also involved in a scary incident Tuesday when Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall delivered a blindside punch that forced Lyubushkin from the game.
"When I watched replay, it's looks like not a heavy punch," he explained. "But like, serious guys, I felt it .... I'm not a guy who lays down on the ice."
Hall was fined US$5,000 by the NHL.
Lyubushkin sat out Thursday's 7-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets when Leafs sniper Auston Matthews scored his 50th goal of the season, but is on course to return to the lineup Saturday.
"He's been awesome," Muzzin said. "Love the Boosh."
ABRUZZESE DEBUTS
Nick Abruzzese will make his NHL debut in Philadelphia after the centre signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Toronto following the conclusion of his NCAA season at Harvard.
"Very smart player," Keefe said. "When I watched him on video and you get all the reports, that's the biggest thing that stands out ... his ability to process the game."
Selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, the 22-year-old Abruzzese had 33 points in 28 regular-season contests in 2021-22, and added a goal and three assists in four games playing for the U.S. at the Beijing Olympics.
Keefe came away impressed with those performances in particular.
"To see him compete and play the game at that level gives me confidence that he's going to be able to adapt quickly to a more challenging level in the NHL."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2022.
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Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
