With the news breaking that Calvin Pickard has hit the waiver wire (and eventually cleared a day later), it marks a new era in net for the Edmonton Oilers. The Pickard-Stuart Skinner duo had held things down for about two seasons, but it seems management has decided on a new pair of goalies to move forward with. Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram have played well for the most part, but this new development creates a bit more pressure for them from here on.
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Jarry came over in a mid-December shocker that sent Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Ingram was acquired in a small trade shortly before the season started back in October. They both got to Edmonton in similar ways, and now they need to work together to backstop a team that has been to the top of the mountain multiple times before, but has yet to claim the ultimate prize with this core.
Skinner, Pickard Took Oilers to Cup Final
Everyone knows the story. With Skinner and Pickard as the goalies, the Oilers came up a couple shots shy in 2024 and a game short in 2025. Obviously the blame isn’t all on their shoulders, but management moving on from them quite quickly this season shows that they’re not messing around anymore. They believe that the two goalies they made trades for are upgrades and can win that extra game or save that extra shot.
Neither Jarry nor Ingram has been that far in the playoffs in their careers. That’s not to say they can’t do it in the right situation, but the eyes and pressure will be on them in Edmonton. The last two goalies got them as far as you can go; now it’s presumed that these two can come in and finish the job.
New Tandem Will Need to Do More Than Win
Winning is, of course, of paramount importance, but building chemistry in their new organization could be a key to success as well. Skinner was clearly a strong presence both on and off the ice for the Oilers, and the fans gave him a warm welcome back a couple weeks ago. Pickard also definitely made his impact known among his teammates, whether he was playing or not.
Leon Draisaitl is giving Calvin Pickard his flowers during his media availability this afternoon.
— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) February 2, 2026
(H/t @SportsnetSpec)
📸: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images pic.twitter.com/5Ysz4mV6BZ
Getting in the good graces of the fan base and being best friends with all of your teammates certainly doesn’t win a Stanley Cup, but it can’t hurt. The Oilers’ fan base is known to embrace players who will do whatever it takes to win and who will be a part of the team. Ingram and Jarry don’t necessarily have to replicate who used to have their spots, but maybe the example that was set in the locker room and the community is a good thing for them to look back at.
Jarry and Ingram Have Been Good So Far
Despite any pressure that may be on the new guys, they’ve been pretty good so far. While getting used to playing with new defencemen in a different environment, the two have battled hard and kept the ship steady, which is exactly what the Oilers need them to do.
Jarry’s numbers aren’t the most superb, however he has posted a 6-3-1 record with the team and will hopefully find his footing more after the break. Ingram has the same record, putting up a .901 save percentage (SV%) and 2.55 goals-against average (GAA).
If they can continue to combine their efforts and produce above a .900 SV% down the stretch for the Oilers, the 1A-1B dynamic can work even better than it did with Skinner and Pickard, and the team can roll into the playoffs with a potential two-headed monster.
There are a couple of ifs in that scenario right now, and the pressure is mounting for the two netminders. We’ll see if they can overcome it in April.
