Oilers roster decision may be upsetting locker room
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
It seems that whatever Edmonton's GM decides to do with goaltender Calvin Pickard, his teammates will be unhappy, according to a recent article.
And it's not the first time that Calvin's situation has affected the locker-room. Back in November, before Skinner was traded and Pickard was rumoured to be on the trading-block, McDavid and others went to bat for the likeable teammate, as per Oilersnation.
Pickard consummate professional
Mostly, Calvin has performed admirably over the last two years, reliable when called upon, professional in every occasion, and an extremely positive influence in the locker-room.
However, the cold, hard facts of the business side of Oilers' hockey is that the team just can't afford to carry three goalies in their lineup, even if Pickard were at his best - their salary cap won't permit it.
He's a fantastic teammate, someone who means a lot to the guys in the room, and, you know, hasn't played his best this season," coach Knoblauch told reporters after practice on Wednesday. "But unfortunately for us, we didn't play very well in front of him, which has made his job harder...unfortunately for him, he's the odd guy out right now.»
So, what is best for Calvin, the likely odd-man-out, that also won't disrupt the team's chemistry moving forward?
It seems that a trade makes the most sense, to a team of his choosing. These are no shortage of clubs that could use an experienced, low-cost backup goalie.
Waiving Pickard, on the other hand, is problematic, as he could be claimed and then would lose him for nothing, which the Oilers can't afford at the moment.
And should he clear waivers, he would create a logjam in Bakersfield, where Ungar and Tomkins are playing well in goal - the former is developing nicely as a prospect. You don't want to risk a disruption there.
How does Pickard feel about it his situation?
«But yeah, it does suck, for sure. But don't feel bad for me. I've been through it before. I'm going to be 34 soon, and I've seen all these kinds of situations.»
His teammates should be happy to hear that. In the meantime, he continues to wear an Oilers' jersey.
Also read on Edmonton Hockey Daily :
McDavid rips himself and Oilers in animated comments after loss to Penguins
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 23|373 ANSWERS Oilers roster decision may be upsetting locker room What is the best move for Calvin Pickard? | ||
| trade | 276 | 74 % |
| waive | 56 | 15 % |
| buyout | 41 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||