The Edmonton Oilers find themselves again in treacherous waters in their goaltending department with veteran Calvin Pickard caught in the middle of a roster crunch that has no straightforward solution.
NHL insider David Pagnotta recently revealed that Pickard is growing increasingly frustrated with his current role, and understandably so. The goaltender has drawn interest from multiple organizations yet Edmonton faces a genuine dilemma about whether moving him makes strategic sense.
“Calvin Pickard's not overly happy with his new role; I think some teams may have inquired to say hey what's your plan with him; I could certainly see Edmonton holding onto him as security,” Pagnotta said.
David Pagnotta: Calvin Pickard's not overly happy with his new role; I think some teams may have inquired to say hey what's your plan with him; I could certainly see Edmonton holding onto him as security - Hello Hockey (1/24)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) January 25, 2026
The conversation surrounding Pickard's future has intensified lately though it never truly disappeared. Edmonton is now weighing security against roster flexibility with compelling arguments on both sides.
Edmonton need Pickard as a safety
Connor Ingram has proven himself as a reliable tandem option since joining the Oilers. His performance speaks volumes in eight quality starts across ten appearances, paired with a .909 save percentage and 2.40 goals-against average. Keeping Ingram active clearly serves Edmonton's championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, Tristan Jarry despite posting an .880 save percentage and 3.12 goals-against average with just two quality starts in eight games, has compiled an impressive 5-2-1 record. This dichotomy makes personnel decisions even more challenging for the organization.
Also, Edmonton's management understands that carrying extra goaltending insurance might prove invaluable in the playoffs when the games matter most.
Jarry's injury history is the biggest concern there. Should his previous ailment resurface, the Oilers would need Pickard ready to step in immediately. That scenario alone might justify keeping three netminders, at least temporarily.
The Olympic break brings deadline pressure
Time is working against Edmonton. Once play resumes after the Olympic break, Adam Henrique's return to the lineup will force roster adjustments. Maintaining three goaltenders at that point becomes mathematically difficult, if not impossible.
According to previous TSN reports, Philadelphia, Ottawa and the New York Rangers have all expressed interest in acquiring Pickard as a backup option. Each of them is a potential landing spot should the Oilers decide to move on.
But trading Pickard could leave Edmonton vulnerable if injuries strike. Keeping him might mean sacrificing roster flexibility or disappointing a veteran who deserves playing time.
The club now faces a challenge where any choice will have ripple effects throughout the organization. Perhaps that's fitting, goaltending decisions in Edmonton have rarely been simple and this situation proves no different.
The clock is ticking and the Oilers must soon determine whether depth or flexibility takes priority in their playoff push.