Edmonton Oilers finally make decision on rookie goalie Olivier Rodrigue

Since the Oilers lost goalie Stuart Skinner with a head injury 6 games ago, backup Calvin Pickard has started every game over the rookie on the bench.

According to a report from Oilers insider Jim Matheson, Rodrigue is slated to make his first NHL career start against the Anaheim Ducks - but it's still a plan that could be subject to change.

Matheson referenced the fact that the Edmonton Oilers are now locked into third place in the division, meaning they'll start the playoffs on the road.

Without a reason to chase wins for the rest of the season, resting Pickard and playing some prospects begins to make sense. For that reason, Rodrigue will make his debut.

Rodrigue has been the Oilers top goalie prospect in the organization since being drafted in the second round in 2018. Since then, he's played several full seasons in the AHL, averaging a .914 save percentage between 2022-2024.

The rookie goalie was able to make a relief appearance against the Seattle Kraken, where he turned away 7 of 8 shots faced. He looked just fine, but some are concerned about his smaller height for a goalie at 6'0. Rodrigue would be the smallest goalie currently in the NHL.

There's a good argument to be made that Rodrigue deserved a call up and a chance at his NHL debut far sooner than the Oilers allowed, and now they're only starting him in a garbage time game.

It's a continued trend of being unwilling to give young players a chance. The Oilers seem entirely unwilling to play young players until forced to, when instead they should be giving these players more opportunities.

Hopefully Rodrigue can prove himself as an NHL talent in his first start, and prove the doubters of his talent wrong. If he can show some promise, perhaps the Oilers will find some room for him on the roster - or trade him to a team with the room for him.