Calvin Pickard Clears Waivers, Stays in the Fold for Oilers-At Least for Now
In a move that caught more than a few fans off guard, veteran goaltender Calvin Pickard has officially cleared waivers. No NHL team put in a claim, meaning the Edmonton Oilers now have the option to send him down to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL-though that decision may not come until after the Olympic break.
For the Oilers, this is quietly a win. Pickard’s been a steady presence in the locker room, a backup who’s not just there to fill a jersey but to push his teammates, support the starter, and step up when called upon. He’s earned the respect of the room and the trust of the coaching staff, especially after playing a key role last season in keeping Edmonton’s playoff hopes alive when the crease situation got dicey.
This was never about talent or character-Pickard’s got both. It was about roster math and cap space, plain and simple.
Edmonton’s been walking a tightrope with three goaltenders on the NHL roster, and something had to give. With Connor Ungar and Matt Tomkins both performing well in Bakersfield, the Oilers had to make a move, and waiving Pickard was the calculated risk.
It’s fair to wonder if GM Stan Bowman had tested the waters on a potential trade before making this call. If there were no takers, that might’ve given the Oilers the green light to place Pickard on waivers, banking on the idea that the timing-post-All-Star, pre-Olympic break-would work in their favor. And it did.
Now the question shifts to what comes next. Assuming Pickard is assigned to Bakersfield, the Condors’ crease suddenly gets crowded.
Ungar and Tomkins have been holding things down admirably in the AHL, and adding a veteran like Pickard into the mix could complicate the rotation. But it also gives Edmonton a valuable insurance policy-an NHL-ready netminder who knows the system, knows the stakes, and can be called up at a moment’s notice.
The Oilers didn’t want to carry three goalies indefinitely, and this move gives them flexibility. Whether Pickard stays in the AHL long-term or finds his way back to the NHL roster later this season, one thing’s clear: Edmonton values what he brings to the organization. And if last year was any indication, they may need him again before this season is over.