It’s a familiar story. The Edmonton Oilers need two goaltenders they can trust. They can trust starter and Masterton Trophy nominee Connor Ingram, but they can’t say the same for Tristan Jarry. That’s why they should consider calling up Calvin Pickard for the playoffs.
Related: 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 6-5 Overtime Loss to Mammoth
Last night, the Oilers needed a big save from Jarry late in their 6-5 loss to the Utah Mammoth. Unfortunately, they didn’t get it.
Pickard Is Good Insurance for the Oilers
Considering how well Pickard has played in the team’s last two Stanley Cup Playoff runs in 2024 and 2025, the organization knows he can be counted on to perform under pressure. Jarry, meanwhile, seems too erratic and has only had a couple of good starts since joining the Oilers from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak in mid-December.
Pickard’s numbers with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) aren’t the greatest, with a .881 save percentage (SV%) and a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.30 in seven games. But neither were Ingram’s when he got called up on Dec. 19. If they recall the veteran netminder, the Oilers will be counting on Pickard’s playoff pedigree.
Pickard’s a Proven Team-First Player
There were a lot of sad faces when Pickard was placed on waivers on Feb 1. Oilers star Leon Draisaitl said it best when he stated, “I think I speak for everyone in here. He’s one of the greatest teammates all of us have had.” Not only was Pickard great in the locker room, but he was even better on the ice last spring when he compiled a 7-1 record in helping the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive season.
Bring Pickard Up to Push the Other Goalies
The Oilers have been playing a better overall defensive game since returning from the Olympic break. However, when they have defensive breakdowns, like against Utah on Tuesday, they need Jarry to make the big save. Unfortunately, like so many times before, it didn’t happen. It’s possible that bringing up Pickard for the playoffs would light a fire under Jarry. At worst, they will have Pickard to back up Ingram in the playoffs if Jarry continues to struggle.
Pickard Would Be a Welcome Voice With the Team
It’s hard to say how well the Oilers have taken to Jarry after he called out the team following a tough loss to the Minnesota Wild on Jan 31. It’s not as if he’s let his play do the talking for him since airing his thoughts to the media. In his time with the Oilers, Pickard may have been frustrated at times, but it’s hard to recall him calling out his teammates. If you’re a goalie of any substance, you always feel like you can stop anything, no matter what your defence does in front of you.
Recalling Pickard Would Shuffle the Prospects Down in Bakersfield
Before Pickard cleared waivers and was sent to Bakersfield, the Condors had Matt Tomkins and Connor Ungar manning the net. Ungar, who was having a solid season with a .926 SV % in 12 games, was sent to the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, where he’s put up a .910 SV % in 17 games.
With the Condors close to clinching a playoff spot, having Ungar share the net with Tomkins would be good for his development. Also, playing under the AHL postseason spotlight would give Oilers management a better idea of what Ungar is capable of.
Oilers Shouldn’t Hestitate To Call Up Pickard
Considering Pickard’s track record of coming up big for the Oilers in the postseason, calling him up should be a no-brainer. Replacing Jarry with Pickard would also help the Oilers’ playoff salary cap and offer general manager Stan Bowman more flexibility. Finally, it would bring back a popular and trusted player to the dressing room.
