The Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending situation has taken a turn over the past weeks, and if veteran NHL analyst Terry Jones is reading the tea leaves correctly, backup netminder Calvin Pickard may have already played his last meaningful game in an Oilers uniform.
Jones, a longtime observer of the franchise, didn’t mince words following Connor Ingram’s second consecutive start on December 23rd against the Calgary Flames.
“Surprise that Connor Ingram started second straight game?” Jones posted on X. “To me that telegraphs that Calvin Pickard is outta here.”
And he is right in saying so, given Edmonton’s front office appears ready to move on from Pickard well before the March six NHL Trade Deadline.
Ingram made an immediate impact after NHL recall
When the Oilers acquired Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth in October, it seemed like a low-risk depth move. Ingram was immediately assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, where he posted middling numbers through the first months of the season with a 4–5–2 record and an .856 save percentage that hardly screamed “NHL ready.”
But circumstances have a way of creating opportunity. When Tristan Jarry landed on injured reserve, the Oilers recalled Ingram on December 19.
In his Oilers debut against the Vegas Golden Knights, Ingram stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 4–3 victory. Two nights later, against Calgary, he was even better, turning aside 18 of 19 shots in a 5–1 win that saw him record a .947 save percentage. Even in his third start in the 3–2 loss in Calgary on Dec 27, Ingram came up with 29 saves on 32 shots.
Through three games, Ingram sports a 2–1–0 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average. Those are definitely respectable numbers for a third-string call-up. One could even say they are legitimate starting goalie metrics.
Pickard’s struggles continue with a horrible save percentage
The contrast with Calvin Pickard couldn’t be more stark or more damning right now. Through 13 games this season, Pickard has managed just a 3–5–2 record with an .861 save percentage and a bloated 3.93 goals-against average. They look like numbers that actively hurt a team’s chances of winning.
For context, an .861 save percentage ranks among the worst in the NHL for any goalie with significant playing time this season. Where even backup goalies are expected to maintain save percentages in the low .900s, Pickard’s performance sure talks about some critical weakness that a Stanley Cup contender simply cannot afford.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has shown through his actions that he has reached the same conclusion. Despite Pickard’s familiarity with the system and his previous success with the organization, Knoblauch gave the crease to a player who had been struggling in the AHL just days earlier.
Oilers prioritizing championship contention
Terry Jones framed the situation perfectly when he noted, “There is no room for mediocrity on this team.” The Oilers are positioned to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are playing at elite levels and the team’s depth has significantly improved. So the window for championship contention is wide open.
McDavid himself has signalled the organization’s championship urgency. When he signed his extension, he took a significant salary discount specifically to create cap space for roster improvements. So it’s pretty evident that everyone on this roster needs to contribute at a high level, or they’ll be replaced by someone who can.
The captain has backed up that commitment with his play, leading the Oilers through what could have been a disastrous early-season slump and keeping championship hopes alive through sheer force of will. Players who can’t match that intensity or effectiveness become liabilities regardless of their contract status or past contributions.
Bowman actively shopping goalie market ahead of deadline
Reports have circulated that general manager Stan Bowman has been actively scouting the goalie market, looking for upgrades before the March 6 trade deadline. Given Ingram’s immediate success and Pickard’s continued struggles, those reports now take on added significance.
The challenge for Bowman is finding a suitable trade partner. Pickard’s contract in the final year of a three-year deal with a manageable cap hit makes him movable, but his performance this season limits his trade value. Teams looking for goaltending help want reliability, and Pickard’s poor showing so far doesn’t really inspire confidence.
Still, there are always teams looking for veteran depth, and Pickard’s previous success with Edmonton (including solid performances in past seasons) means he’s not without value. A team facing injuries or looking to shore up their AHL affiliate might be willing to take on his contract if Edmonton retains salary or accepts minimal return.
Ingram’s affordable contract makes him a long-term option
What makes Ingram’s situation particularly interesting is that he could genuinely be part of Edmonton’s future plans. He is in the final year of a three-year, $5.85M contract (with an average cap hit of approximately $1.95M reduced further by Utah’s salary retention of $800K). That makes him an affordable asset who could be re-signed at a reasonable rate if he continues performing well.
Ingram also brings legitimate NHL pedigree. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2023–24 for perseverance and sportsmanship during a standout season with the Arizona Coyotes. His career numbers entering this season—a .902 save percentage and 3.14 goals-against average—suggest he is capable of being a reliable NHL backup when given consistent opportunity.
The fact that he has elevated his game after struggling in Bakersfield is actually a positive sign. It suggests that his poor AHL numbers were more about adjustment and rhythm than a fundamental decline in ability. Now, playing behind one of the NHL’s best offensive teams and getting regular work, Ingram has found his confidence.
Pickard’s roster spot in jeopardy as deadline approaches
If Terry Jones is correct and both the statistical evidence and coaching decisions suggest he might be, Pickard’s tenure with the Oilers is entering its final chapter. The most likely scenario sees Edmonton shopping Pickard aggressively before the trade deadline, potentially accepting a late-round draft pick or future considerations just to clear the roster spot and give themselves flexibility.
Ingram, meanwhile, will get every opportunity to prove he deserves to stay in the NHL. If he maintains anything close to his current level of play, he will have earned the backup role for the remainder of this season and potentially beyond. His upcoming unrestricted free agency after 2025–26 also gives both sides flexibility to negotiate a deal that makes sense.
As for Pickard, his window to turn the tide is rapidly closing. Unless Ingram falters dramatically or injuries create unexpected opportunities, the veteran backup may find himself watching from the press box or suiting up for another organization entirely when the playoffs begin.
