There is no denying the struggles that have plagued Edmonton Oilers veteran keeper, Calvin Pickard this season. The 33 year old is in the midst of one of his worst statistical seasons of his NHL career spanning nearly 200 regular season games and over 11 years.
His career has always been up-and-down from what looked like the goaltender of the future for the Colorado Avalanche from 2014-15 to 2016-17, to a journeyman backup or third string until landing a longterm home with the Oilers in 2023-24.
He joined the Oilers as a third stringer between the pipes, an insurance marker to backstop the inconsistent Jack Campbell and a young up-and-comer in Stuart Skinner. It was a gamble, one that has paid off for the most part as he has been a stabilizing force in the Oilers crease when things have gone sideways.
Now, he is the one that has struggled mightily and required an insurance marker to swoop in and stabilize the crease.
'Tough' season for Calvin Pickard
In 13 games this season, Pickard has a 5-6-2 record with a 3.68 goals against average and .871 save percentage. Contrasted with his current teammates in net with Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram both posting save percentages well above the .900 mark and it makes sense why Pickard is the odd man out.
Still, as he puts it according to Sportsnet insider Mark Spector "Yeah, it's been tough,” and understandably so, given just last year he was leaned on by Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now, he is on the outside looking in and has not played a game since January 8th.
The newly acquired Jarry has been strong in his six starts since joining the Oilers in December. He has a 4-1-1 record with a 2.48 GAA and .904 save percentage, as well posting one shutout so far last weekend against the Vancouver Canucks.
Ingram as well, has joined the Oilers after being acquired before the season kicked in for 'future considerations'. He started the year in the American Hockey League with the Bakersfield Condors, putting up concerning numbers. However, after Jarry went down with an injury shortly after his acquisition, Ingram was recalled and has been phenomenal.
In nine games played, Ingram has a 5-3-1 record with a 2.22 GAA and .917 save percentage, also recording a shutout with the Oilers for his game against the Seattle Kraken.
It is unclear if Pickard will work his way back into regular rotation for the Oilers down the stretch this season but if he does, the expectation is that he is ready to go. “You never know — I could be right back in there at some point here soon."