Trading Pickard Could Leave a Space in the Oilers’ Heart

The Edmonton Oilers are juggling their goalie situation. Tristan Jarry’s healthy, Connor Ingram’s on form, and that leaves Calvin Pickard on the outside looking in. While he’s still technically part of the three-goalie situation in Edmonton, the numbers make the eventual choice to move on easy. That said, losing him is about more than stats—it’s about the locker room, the energy, and what keeps the team ticking.

Here’s why the Oilers will miss Pickard if he’s traded.

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Pickard Is a Teammate Other Oilers Can Count On

Pickard keeps things grounded in the locker room. He’s there for the players, earns respect by showing up every night, and the team wanted him around because he’s reliable, plain and simple.

Stats tell part of the story, but Pickard really showed up during high-pressure moments. In those playoff runs to the Stanley Cup Final, he showed the calm, clutch kind of play every team needs. Even if his season’s numbers have dipped in 2025-26, watching him handle those big moments was an example of the kind of play every team needs from its depth to be successful. That’s something younger goalies and teammates watch and learn from. He’s been the steadying hand when things got tense.

Off the ice, Pickard is just solid through and through. He’s a quiet, drama-free professional. He makes no fuss and needs no headlines. He just works hard to support his teammates. Why? Because he loves playing hockey and feels fortunate to have a chance.

It might seem small, but it’s what makes him far from a typical teammate. It will make his absence felt. When someone with these qualities moves away, he’s missed. Perhaps the Oilers can find someone who plays just as well, or even better, but in the locker room, his presence will leave a gap.

Few successful NHL teams have locker rooms that thrive during turmoil. Cohesion is what makes a locker room thrive, and having someone who fosters that is huge. Losing Pickard might not move the standings, but it leaves a hole in the team’s identity.

The Bottom Line for Pickard and the Oilers

If Pickard is traded, and it’s getting to look that way, fans should take a moment to appreciate what he’s brought to Edmonton. It wasn’t just the saves; it was his personality. He’s been a steadying influence, and his locker-room presence has made the Oilers feel like more than just a team.

The roster may survive without him, but the heart of the dressing room? That’s where he will be harder to replace.

Related: Oilers and Senators Could Be a Good Trade Fit