Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Nearly Pivoted in Net Before Players Intervened: Why Loyalty Could Become a Liability
The Oilers nearly made a goalie change, but players pushed to keep Calvin Pickard—despite poor numbers. That loyalty could prove costly.
The Edmonton Oilers came dangerously close to making a significant goaltending change coming out of their recent road trip. According to Frank Seravalli, the organization explored the option of calling up Connor Ingram—an insurance move aimed at stabilizing a position that has been anything but steady. But before management could pull the trigger, Oilers players stepped in, voicing their support for Calvin Pickard and advocating for him to remain with the team.
On the surface, that kind of loyalty speaks to a unified room. Veteran leadership backing a respected, hardworking teammate is something most coaches dream of. Pickard has always been well-liked, known for his professionalism, compete level, and calm presence around the group. But while those qualities matter, the NHL is ultimately a results-driven business—and the numbers tell a different story.
Pickard’s 2025-26 stat line paints a picture of a goaltender struggling to keep pace in a season where Edmonton cannot afford missteps. Through eight games, he holds a 3.87 goals-against average and an .851 save percentage, metrics that rank near the bottom among active NHL backup goaltenders. On Tuesday, he allowed four goals on 22 shots, playing two periods and finishing with a .818 save percentage.
Those concerns are why the Oilers were exploring the Ingram move in the first place. Ingram has historically posted stronger underlying numbers, better lateral control, and more consistent save-sequencing under pressure. He profiles as a stabilizer—someone who can protect a team from momentum swings and avoid the back-breaking goals that have plagued Edmonton during stretches of the season. Management’s interest wasn’t a reactionary overcorrection; it was a reasonable attempt to reinforce a crucial position.
Why Player Influence Could Backfire
The twist in this story—the players pushing to keep Pickard on the roster—raises long-term questions about on-ice performance versus dressing-room sentiment. Locker-room chemistry is important, but when it directly influences a personnel decision in a high-stakes season, the team risks crossing into dangerous territory. If Edmonton wants to position itself as a legitimate contender, it cannot afford to give games away based on emotion rather than evidence.
The concern isn’t that Pickard can’t deliver the occasional strong outing. He has proven he can rise to the moment when needed. The concern is sustainability. An .847 save percentage over any meaningful sample damages playoff aspirations quickly. Even league-average goaltending (.897%) would dramatically change the Oilers’ trajectory, especially given their firepower and shot-generation numbers. But below-replacement results create pressure on every mistake, forcing the team into run-and-gun hockey to compensate. That’s not a formula for a deep playoff run.
If the players’ influence ultimately prevents management from making the necessary call, the danger becomes clear: loyalty today could lead to collapse tomorrow. Edmonton’s window is open right now. Their stars are in their prime, their supporting cast is deeper than in years past, and the Western Conference is wide-open enough for a run. Holding onto a struggling backup because the room likes him isn’t malicious—but it is risky.
There is still time for the Oilers to reassess and act decisively if needed. But if Pickard continues to trend downward and games start slipping away, this moment—where sentiment won over strategy—could become a defining fork in the season.
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