Edmonton Oilers
Oilers Place Goaltender Calvin Pickard on Waivers
The Edmonton Oilers have placed goaltender Calvin Pickard on waivers.
The Edmonton Oilers have placed goaltender Calvin Pickard on waivers. The veteran backup was stuck in a three-goalie situation and not playing. As a result, the Oilers are taking their chances that Pickard will clear and can be assigned to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
The Oilers faced a tough, cap-driven decision with Pickard, who’s been a pro, locker-room positive, and dependable when needed. But with Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram solidifying the NHL tandem, Pickard has become the odd man out—often a healthy scratch or third-stringer.
Trading him would have made the most sense: it gives the veteran a real shot elsewhere with a needy team. However, teams likely wanted to wait to see if the netminder would pop up and be available for free.
It’s is believed a team will claim him.
Several players on the team, including Connor McDavid, will be unhappy about the news. Many had come to bat for Pickard in the past, trying to keep him on the roster and part of the group. The timing is also suspect, given that Tristan Jarry just put up a sloppy performance against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
The hope is that this is best for Pickard, who will get another shot to play in the NHL. And perhaps this is an indication that the Oilers might be working on something bigger.
Next: Tristan Jarry Calls on Oilers to Be Better in Front of Him
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