Calvin Pickard’s agent Ritch Winter didn’t hold back this week when discussing the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to place his client on waivers, delivering a pointed critique of the team’s goaltending strategy on The Jason Gregor Show.
Winter revealed that in conversations with Oilers GM Stan Bowman, the team remains uncertain about their goaltending hierarchy despite the waiver move.
“Stan’s not sure Calvin’s not number one,” Winter said. “He just got into a situation where right now the coach has got flavors. Favors lemonade and strawberry, not sure on grape, and there’s not a lot of difference between them. Their statistics are very similar.”
The Oilers placed Pickard on waivers February one and he cleared the following day. The move came after Pickard fell behind the tandem of Tristan Jarry who was acquired from Pittsburgh in December and Connor Ingram acquired from Utah before the season and called up from Bakersfield in late December.
Pickard’s numbers are not great, but are Ingram and Jarry’s?
Pickard’s statistics this season weren’t stellar with a 5–6–2 record, a .871 save percentage and 3.68 goals-against average in 16 appearances. He hasn’t played since January 8.
But Winter argued the numbers don’t tell the whole story. He questioned why the team chose to waive Pickard over Ingram, who was also struggling before recently finding his form.
“Ingram hasn’t hardly played in the playoffs. His last three games starting to come around,” Winter noted, pointing out that Ingram only recently posted strong performances with around a .905 save percentage in his last three outings.
Meanwhile, Jarry has gone 6–3–1 in 10 games since joining Edmonton, though his .873 save percentage and 3.59 goals-against average mirror the struggles across the Oilers’ crease. Just last week, Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl called out the goaltending inconsistency which came days after a remark Jarry had made targeting the team play.
Locker room favourite and playoff experience
Winter’s most passionate defence was based on Pickard’s value as a teammate and playoff performer, qualities he believes the organization is undervaluing.
“Every time Calvin’s in the net, everyone says the guys play better because they love him, because they want him to succeed,” Winter said. “He’s a glue figure in the dressing room. Leon Draisaitl texted their Instagram post within seconds of him clearing waivers: ‘Maybe the best teammate we’ve all ever had.'”
Winter repeatedly emphasized Pickard’s playoff credentials and his 9–2 postseason record with the Oilers over the past two seasons.
“These guys have never had much playoff success,” Winter said. “Do we forget? He’s nine and two in the playoffs… when their season was in really tough shape, they know what he did. He delivered.”
Pickard’s agent draws Connor McDavid parallel
In defending Pickard’s decision to stay with Edmonton rather than seek opportunities elsewhere, Winter drew an unexpected comparison to Connor McDavid’s summer deliberations.
“This is the same thing that Connor McDavid had to go through in a different context. He said candidly he wants to play with his friends and win,” Winter explained.
When Pickard cleared waivers, Winter said they chose not to rush into conversations with other teams. “There’s 24 teams boxed right out of the game because they’re not winning. And then there’s some with cap issues. It’s not easy.”
“Calvin’s more likely to play here and have playoff success than anywhere else,” Winter concluded.
Winter closed with a striking statistic meant to reassure his client: “I have 47 All-Star Game appearances, six Vezina trophies, two league MVPs, one Norris Trophy, three Conn Smythe trophies, and 82 Stanley Cup rings won by guys who were waived and cleared, were bought out or never drafted.”
“I know my players. I think Stan knows this player,” Winter said. “Let’s do lunch during the playoffs because he’ll be here. I say that with conviction.”
Oilers will regret writing off Calvin Pickard per his agent
Pickard signed a two-year, $2M contract with Edmonton in June 2024 and becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. After clearing waivers, he will report to the Bakersfield Condors.
For now, the Oilers move forward with Jarry and Ingram as their tandem. But Winter clearly believes the decision may haunt them come playoff time.
“There’s not enough evidence that says, yes, the other guys are better,” Winter said. “Collectively, they have won nine games in the playoffs, haven’t they? Well, no, Jarry’s only ever played a playoff game.”
Whether Winter’s prediction proves prophetic remains to be seen, but according to him writing off Calvin Pickard would be a mistake the Oilers may regret when the stakes are highest.
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Mr. Bowman should have traded Pickard in January when Ottawa and Philadelphia were in dire need.
Now you have disgruntled players and poor attitudes. This won’t end well, I believe Cal Pickard will be with another team at the start of next season and Edmonton Oiler fans will be gathering the pitchforks and torches.