Calvin Pickard Says Thank You Edmonton Ahead of Free Agency
calvin pickard posted a clear goodbye message to Edmonton Oilers fans earlier this week, with an Instagram caption that read, "Thank you, Edmonton." The goaltender is set to become a UFA this summer, and the post points toward a split after three seasons with the club.
Pickard’s Edmonton path
Pickard signed with the Oilers in 2022, when the plan was for him to work as a third-string goalie and spend most of his time with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. That changed in 2023-24, when Edmonton waived Jack Campbell and brought Pickard up to form an NHL tandem with Stuart Skinner.
His post paired the words on screen with a montage of photos from his Oilers career. The song behind it was "Where Are You Going" by Dave Matthews Band, which matched the tone of a message that looked less like a routine offseason post and more like a farewell.
Stan Bowman’s crease decisions
Pickard’s run in Edmonton turned him into a fan favourite because it went far beyond the depth role the team originally assigned him. Last year he posted a 7-1 record during the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, and that stretch included a seven-game winning streak.
That is the part of the story that complicates the simple goodbye. Edmonton did not bring him in as a long-term starter, but he became part of the club’s best stretch of the season and a useful partner for Skinner when the crease shifted in 2023-24.
The fit appears to be ending anyway. The article says there does not appear to be any space for Pickard to return, while Tristan Jarry will likely remain with the team as Stan Bowman searches for a new starting goalie. Connor Ungar and Samuel Jonsson are pushing for AHL time, and Connor Ingram could be brought back as well.
For Edmonton, Pickard’s post reads like the first clean sign of a summer reset in goal. For Pickard, it is a public nod to the place where a depth signing turned into a two-run contributor who helped carry the Oilers through one of their biggest stretches.
