The Oilers should think about starting Calvin Pickard more often to give him stability and competition in goal because of the goaltending’s instability.
The Edmonton Oilers are currently navigating a pivotal stretch in the 2024-2025 season. Despite having some of the most dynamic and elite players in the NHL, particularly Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers’ playoff aspirations remain in question due to ongoing issues in several key areas—one of the most glaring being their goaltending situation.
The Oilers’ goaltending duo of Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner has had its ups and downs. While both goalies have shown flashes of brilliance, they have also had stretches of inconsistency, leaving the Oilers in a precarious position in their quest for a championship. Amid this uncertainty, one name has started to emerge as a potential solution to their goaltending woes: Calvin Pickard.
Pickard, who has spent much of his career as a backup goalie, has been a reliable presence in the Oilers’ crease whenever called upon. But with the team’s goaltending struggles continuing, many are asking whether it might be time to give Pickard more starts. This article explores the reasoning behind this question and analyzes whether the Oilers should consider turning to Pickard as a more prominent figure in their goaltending rotation.
Edmonton’s Goaltending Woes: A Persistent Problem
The Edmonton Oilers have long been one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the NHL, primarily due to the excellence of McDavid and Draisaitl. However, to achieve sustained success, the Oilers need much more than just offensive firepower; they also need solid goaltending.
Over the past few seasons, Edmonton has struggled with its goaltending situation. In the 2023-2024 season, the Oilers acquired Jack Campbell in a highly publicized move, hoping that his experience and success with the Toronto Maple Leafs would bolster the team’s netminding. However, Campbell has not lived up to expectations. Despite his potential, his performances have been uneven, with occasional brilliance mixed with inconsistent stretches.
Stuart Skinner, the Oilers’ other main goalie option, has been more stable but still inconsistent. After a promising rookie campaign in 2022-2023, Skinner has not fully cemented himself as the clear-cut No. 1 goalie, and his performance has fluctuated. While he has had impressive stretches, he has also faltered at critical moments, leading to frustration within the fan base and, perhaps, even within the locker room.
With both goalies struggling to establish consistency, the Oilers’ goaltending has often failed to provide the team with the stability needed to win crucial games. In hockey, especially during a playoff push, a reliable goaltender can make all the difference. If the Oilers are to contend for a championship, they need their goaltending to elevate alongside their offensive prowess. The question is: Can Calvin Pickard, a relative unknown compared to Campbell and Skinner, step up to fill that gap?
Calvin Pickard’s Background and NHL Experience
Calvin Pickard, a 31-year-old veteran of the NHL, has had a journeyman career to this point. Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2010, Pickard had several stints as a backup goalie with multiple NHL teams, including the Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and now, the Edmonton Oilers. His career in the NHL has been marked by inconsistency, with Pickard often serving as a reliable backup rather than a starter.
Over his career, Pickard has played in over 100 NHL games, most notably spending a significant amount of time with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2015-2016 season. He’s also had solid performances in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he’s served as a consistent presence and has kept his skillset sharp for any NHL opportunity that might arise.
While Pickard’s overall NHL career numbers are modest (a 3.09 goals-against average (GAA) and a .904 save percentage), his recent appearances with the Oilers have shown that he is capable of providing competent goaltending in short spurts. He has a solid presence in the crease, with a calm demeanor that helps stabilize his defense in high-pressure situations. Most importantly, when given opportunities to start in the NHL, Pickard has shown a level of poise and reliability that has earned him praise from coaches and teammates alike.
Pickard’s Recent Performances: A Glimpse of Potential
When Pickard has been called upon in recent seasons, including in Edmonton, he has generally performed well. His brief appearances with the Oilers have seen him post solid save percentages and give his team a chance to win. Though not the first-choice option, Pickard’s ability to step into a challenging situation without the added pressure of being the No. 1 goalie has helped him avoid some of the struggles that other goalies—like Campbell and Skinner—have faced in Edmonton.
One of Pickard’s most impressive traits is his consistency. While his sample size is smaller than that of Skinner and Campbell, he has demonstrated a level of dependability that cannot be ignored. In fact, some analysts and fans believe that Pickard’s style of play—while perhaps less flashy than that of McDavid or Draisaitl—could be what the Oilers need in goal to balance their overall game.
In particular, Pickard’s ability to make the timely save has been a key asset in his limited appearances. The Oilers have struggled with defensive breakdowns at times, and while no goaltender can stop every high-quality scoring chance, Pickard’s ability to come up with clutch stops has helped keep his team in games. In a season where consistency has been elusive in the crease, that reliability could make him an appealing option for the Oilers to give more starts to.
Why the Oilers Might Consider Giving Pickard More Starts
- A Stable Presence in Net
With the inconsistency of Campbell and Skinner, the Oilers may benefit from Pickard’s calm, steady approach to the game. Goaltending is about more than just making saves; it’s also about maintaining composure, particularly when the pressure is on. The Oilers’ defense has struggled with lapses and breakdowns, which can be a challenging environment for any goaltender. Having a goalie like Pickard, who is reliable under pressure, could provide a steadying influence on the rest of the team.
- Reducing the Pressure on Campbell and Skinner
The Oilers’ current goaltending situation has placed significant pressure on both Campbell and Skinner to perform at an elite level, with neither of them consistently delivering. Giving Pickard more starts would ease that burden and allow the team to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. It’s possible that the competition between Campbell, Skinner, and Pickard could create a healthy dynamic that pushes each goaltender to perform better and alleviate the anxiety surrounding the position.
- Defensive Issues and Pickard’s Style
The Oilers have had issues defensively, and these problems often lead to high-quality scoring chances for their opponents. As a result, Edmonton needs a goalie who can provide reliability in these situations. Pickard is known for his ability to make routine saves consistently, and while his reflexes may not be as sharp as those of Campbell or Skinner in high-pressure situations, his sound positional play and solid decision-making might make him a more reliable option when facing heavy offensive pressure.
- Experience and Proven Track Record in Limited Appearances
Pickard’s experience in the league should not be overlooked. While he has spent much of his career as a backup, he has been in various NHL systems, and his adaptability to different teams and styles of play speaks to his maturity as a goaltender. In limited appearances with the Oilers, Pickard has proven that he can step in and provide stable goaltending, and this experience could benefit the team, especially if Campbell and Skinner continue to struggle with consistency.
Potential Drawbacks of Relying More on Pickard
While giving Pickard more starts could be a viable option for the Oilers, there are also potential drawbacks to this strategy. Firstly, Pickard’s track record as a full-time starter is limited. His sample size as a starting goaltender has been minimal, and while he has performed well in spot starts, it is uncertain whether he can handle the rigors of being a No. 1 goaltender for an extended period of time.
Secondly, the Oilers may not have the luxury of time. With the team in the midst of a playoff race, they may need the more proven goaltending performances that Skinner and Campbell could theoretically offer—if they can find their consistency. Relying on Pickard, while perhaps a more stable option, may be seen as a stopgap measure rather than a long-term solution.
