The Edmonton Oilers have made their goaltending decision clear - and it’s a significant one. After weeks of juggling three netminders, the team placed veteran Calvin Pickard on waivers Sunday afternoon, signaling a shift in their crease strategy as they commit to a tandem of Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram for the rest of the season.
This move isn’t without risk. Pickard, a 33-year-old journeyman who’s carved out a solid role in Edmonton over the past three seasons, is now exposed to the rest of the league. If another team puts in a claim, the Oilers could lose him for nothing.
Pickard’s time in Edmonton may not have come with a spotlight, but he made the most of his opportunities. Called up initially to stabilize the crease after Jack Campbell’s demotion during the 2023-24 season, Pickard proved to be more than just a placeholder. He stepped up in key moments - most notably starting in Game 5 of last year’s Stanley Cup Final - and provided steady, veteran play when the Oilers needed it most.
Over his Oilers tenure, Pickard posted a 39-23-4 record with a .896 save percentage. Not eye-popping numbers, but when it mattered, he delivered.
In the postseason, he went 8-2 with a .892 SV%, showing he could hold up under playoff pressure. That kind of reliability doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it’s something teammates and coaches remember.
This season, though, the story shifted. Pickard struggled to find consistency, going 5-6-2 in 13 starts with a .871 save percentage. His last start came back on January 8 against Winnipeg, and since then, it’s been clear the Oilers were leaning in a different direction.
That direction now points to Jarry and Ingram - a duo the Oilers believe can carry them through the stretch run. Jarry brings starting experience and a calm presence in net, while Ingram has shown flashes of brilliance and athleticism that could give Edmonton a dynamic one-two punch.
Of course, this decision doesn’t just affect the NHL roster. If Pickard clears waivers and heads to the AHL, the Oilers’ minor-league affiliate will have a logjam in the crease.
Both Matt Tomkins and rookie standout Connor Ungar have been playing excellent hockey, and there’s only so much net to go around. It’s a good problem to have, but a decision will need to be made there as well.
If this is the end of Pickard’s run in Edmonton, he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and clutch performances. He may not have been the long-term solution, but he was exactly what the Oilers needed at key moments. And in a league where goaltending depth can make or break a season, that kind of contribution matters.
For now, the Oilers are turning the page. The crease belongs to Jarry and Ingram - and with the postseason push heating up, the spotlight is squarely on them to rise to the occasion.