There’s a Pickard Problem the Oilers Can’t Ignore Anymore
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a dilemma between the pipes, and it revolves around veteran goaltender Calvin Pickard. While Pickard is a well-respected and liked player within the Oilers' dressing room and around the league, his recent performance has been undeniably poor, creating a problem the team can no longer ignore.
Last season, Pickard provided the Oilers with dependable minutes and stability in net when they desperately needed it, even earning praise for his performance in a crucial game. However, his current numbers tell a different story. Through his first six appearances this season, Pickard has struggled significantly. As of Thursday, November 13, 2025, his save percentage stands at a concerning .830, the lowest among NHL goalies with at least five starts. His goals-against average (GAA) is also the worst in the league, sitting at 4.17. His recent save percentages in a six-game stretch have been consistently low: .750, .762, .864, .852, .815, and .818.
The Oilers' recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets perfectly illustrates the issue. While the team's overall performance was lacking, asking them to score six goals to secure a win is simply unsustainable. In that game, the Blue Jackets hit multiple posts, and the score could have easily been much higher.
It would be unfair to place the blame solely on Pickard, as the Oilers' defense has also had its struggles. However, even with defensive shortcomings, no playoff-contending team can consistently overcome such poor goaltending.
The Oilers signed Pickard to a two-year, $2 million contract in June 2024. Last season, Pickard appeared in 23 games for the Oilers, recording a 12-7-1 record and a .909 save percentage. In the 2024-25 season, he had a 22-10-1 record with a 2.71 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 36 regular-season games.
Some might argue that the Oilers also struggle in front of Stuart Skinner, the team's starting goaltender. However, the "magical run" Pickard had last season seems to be over. Playing behind a strong defense allowed him to shine previously, but with an average-to-underwhelming defense, he is not delivering the necessary results.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged Pickard's struggles after a tough 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, a game in which Pickard allowed four goals on 18 shots. While Knoblauch noted that Pickard didn't have much of a chance on those goals due to breakaways and screened shots, the numbers speak for themselves.
The Oilers must now decide how to address this issue. They could continue to give Pickard opportunities to turn things around, or they could explore other options, potentially via trade. With both Pickard and Skinner entering the final year of their contracts in the 2025-26 season, the competition for the starting role will likely intensify. However, Pickard's current performance and manageable $1 million cap hit could make him a trade candidate if the Oilers choose to go in that direction.
