Pickard’s Agent Raises Eyebrows with Take on Oilers’ Goalie Tandem

Ritch Winter didn’t outright criticize the Edmonton Oilers’ handling of his client Calvin Pickard — but he didn’t exactly endorse it either. Speaking in an interview with Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor, Winter suggested the duo of Connor Ingram and Tristan Jarry hasn’t shown enough to suggest Pickard’s run with the Oilers is over.

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After Pickard cleared waivers, Winter questioned why Edmonton felt the need to shuffle the crease at all, particularly when comparing playoff résumés.“Is there enough evidence to say the other guys are better?” Winter asked.

Pickard holds a 9-2 playoff record over the last two seasons, delivering in high-pressure situations. Frankly, he saved the Oilers in the playoffs last season. By contrast, Winter noted that Connor Ingram has limited postseason experience and Tristan Jarry’s playoff track record is mixed at best. He argued that neither has stolen a game for the Oilers all season.

“Collectively, they haven’t won 9 games in the playoffs, have they?” Winter asked of the other netminders, likely already knowing the answer. Gregor pointed out that Jarry has only a handful of playoff appearances, fewer than Pickard’s wins.

Pickard Is the Goalie The Oilers Rally Around

Winter also emphasized the cultural component. He described Pickard as a “huge figure in the dressing room,” recalling how Leon Draisaitl publicly praised him immediately after he cleared waivers. “These guys know what he did when their season was in tough shape. He delivered.”

He said that Pickard believes he still has as good a chance of playing playoff games and succeeding in Edmonton as anywhere else. Because Ingram and Jarry have been inconsistent, the door remains open.

While Winter acknowledged the business side of hockey, he suggested Edmonton may be undervaluing intangibles — leadership, trust, and playoff composure — in its evaluation.

In the end, Pickard stayed. But Winter’s comments make it clear he believes his client has already proven more than enough. Both believe he’ll get another look, and he may be the guy the Oilers call upon in the postseason.

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