Since starting goalie Stuart Skinner went down with a head injury six games ago, the Edmonton Oilers have been riding backup Calvin Pickard non-stop who has started every game during this stretch.
Pickard has held up well especially in that tough loss over the Los Angeles Kings but fans and insiders are starting to ask: how much is too much?
Even Skinner, the team’s No. 1 option, rarely started more than three or four games consecutively during the season. The Oilers had an opportunity to ease Pickard’s workload by starting rookie Olivier Rodrigue against the rebuilding San Jose Sharks. Instead, the organization opted to go with Pickard once again raising eyebrows around the league and within the fanbase.
Now according to longtime Oilers reporter, Jim Matheson, Edmonton is preparing to start Rodrigue in their upcoming game against the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old has been with the organization since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft and has posted strong numbers in the AHL.
Unless there is a change of heart, it appears Olivier Rodrique will get his first NHL goalie start for Oilers in Anaheim. Calvin Pickard has only given up eight goals in the last 4 starts but Oilers look locked in 3rd in Pacific so why not play your top farmhand G?
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) April 6, 2025
He did make a brief relief appearance against the Seattle Kraken, saving 7 of 8 shots which was a decent start, though there is still the issue about his height. At 6’1”, Rodrigue would be the smallest goalie in the league if he sticks around.
Olivier Rodrigue in Oilers net was long overdue
But small or not, Rodrigue has earned this shot. He’s been solid in the AHL for years, posting a .914 save percentage across two seasons. Many believe the Oilers should have given him a start much earlier.
With Edmonton now locked into third place in the Pacific Division and no longer chasing points in the standings, there’s little reason not to give young players valuable NHL experience. It’s quite simple actually. Overworking Pickard could lead to burnout or, worse, injury.
As mentioned earlier, even Stuart Skinner wasn’t starting more than three or four games in a row during the season. So with the playoffs fast approaching, Edmonton can’t afford to lose their only healthy NHL-tested goalie.
The Oilers have often been hesitant to rely on prospects unless forced to. Rodrigue’s upcoming start may be seen as overdue, but it’s still a great opportunity for both the youngster and the organization.
With Skinner’s timeline for return still uncertain as head injuries can be unpredictable, Edmonton needs to manage Pickard’s workload carefully heading into the playoffs. Rodrigue’s start comes at the right time and if he performs well he could earn more trust from the coaching staff or increase his value as a trade asset.
The Oilers may have dodged a bullet by surviving this risky stretch with Pickard, but they can’t keep tempting fate. Giving Rodrigue a shot now is the right move for Pickard’s health, for Rodrigue’s future and for the team’s depth.