Oilers have time limit on Connor Ingram before potentially losing him for nothing

Ingram got the call to the Oilers in the wake of Tristan Jarry's week-to-week injury, and he's played very well in his first two starts. If he continues this level of play in this current trial, the Oilers will have a tough decision coming with Calvin Pickard.

Ingram currently isn't waiver eligible, meaning the Oilers could currently send him down to the AHL risk-free. However, he will be waiver eligible after playing 10 games or being on the roster for 30 days.

Jarry's injury and return timeline could really complicate things here. If he can return within the 30 day window, the Oilers could keep both Pickard and Ingram. If Jarry returns after Ingram's waiver eligible, the Oilers will be sure to lose at least one of their current goalies.

Simply put, the decision will be performance based for the Oilers. Pickard has been their backup goalie who's performed admirably when called upon in the playoffs the last two years, but he's put up brutal results this year with an .861 save percentage in 13 games.

On the other hand, Ingram is a totally unproven goaltender who's trying to build back his career after time away in the Player Assistance Program. He also posted poor results in the AHL, but the Oilers believe he can get back to form.

If Ingram continues this level of play, he should become the new Oilers backup goalie, and Pickard should be placed on waivers. It'll be tough to let go of their backup of two years, but there can't be any loyalty in these decisions - it needs to be about who can actually help the team win.

These next 30 days will be critical for the Oilers goalie situation, especially with Jarry sidelined with injury. We'll see how the month of January plays out for Ingram and Pickard, and the decision of which one to keep should become obvious.