There’s a certain kind of tension that hangs around a backup NHL goalie—never knowing when the phone will ring, or if the next waiver wire will change everything. For Calvin Pickard, that tension has defined his 2025 season. From clearing waivers to an untimely injury and an emergency recall by the Edmonton Oilers, the veteran goaltender’s year has been anything but predictable.

4 related posts

Birthdate: April 15, 1992 · Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) · Weight: 206 lb (93 kg) · AHL Wins (2015-16): 23 · AHL Save % (2015-16): .910

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • May 2025: placed on waivers, clears (CTV News Edmonton)
  • June 2025: injured during playoffs (Edmonton Oilers team release)
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: Pickard’s professional profile fits a dependable backup role across multiple organizations.

Attribute Detail
Birthdate April 15, 1992
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 206 lb (93 kg)
NHL Team Edmonton Oilers
Position Goaltender (catches left)
Birthplace Moncton, NB, Canada

Has Calvin Pickard cleared waivers?

Details of the waiver process

On Sunday at noon Mountain Time, the Edmonton Oilers placed Calvin Pickard on waivers, CTV News Edmonton reported. The move came as the team managed roster limits ahead of the postseason. Pickard cleared waivers without being claimed by another club, meaning he remained in the Oilers organization.

Impact on Pickard’s career

Clearing waivers is a routine procedural step for many veterans, but it signals a shift in organizational depth. At the time of the waiver, Pickard had a 5-6-2 record with a 3.68 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage in the NHL this season, according to CTV News Edmonton. The implication: the Oilers were willing to expose him to the league, and no other team saw enough value to take on his contract.

Bottom line: Pickard cleared waivers and remained an Oiler. For the team, it meant salary cap flexibility. For Pickard, it was a reminder that his NHL spot is not guaranteed.

The implication: Pickard’s NHL future hinges on how the Oilers value experienced depth over cap savings.

How did Pickard get injured?

Nature of the injury

According to the Edmonton Oilers official team release, Pickard had been limited to only 10 AHL games that season because of an injury. The release did not specify the exact nature of the ailment, but it was serious enough to restrict his playing time. Sportsnet later reported that Pickard was injured during the playoff series and was expected to miss the rest of the series.

Expected recovery timeline

No official timeline for Pickard’s return has been published. The recall on an emergency basis suggests the Oilers needed cover for the immediate postseason games rather than a long-term replacement.

What to watch

Pickard’s injury history—combined with the Oilers’ moves—raises a question: is this a short-term setback or the beginning of a deeper health concern for the 33-year-old netminder?

The implication: Pickard’s injury could alter the Oilers’ playoff goaltending depth even after his return.

Where will Calvin Pickard end up now that he’s cleared waivers?

Potential landing spots

With Pickard having cleared waivers, he cannot be traded until the next trade window unless he is re-exposed. He could theoretically be claimed by another team if placed on waivers again, but Sportsnet noted that the league prefers teams to have an NHL goalie as their No. 3 during the playoffs, making Pickard a valuable insurance piece inside the organization.

Oilers’ roster decisions

The Big Lead characterized the recall as a strategic playoff insurance move rather than an injury-driven response, citing Sportsnet’s Mark Spector who said there were no fitness concerns surrounding goaltenders Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry. The trade-off: Edmonton keeps an experienced backup in the fold without committing roster space to a full-time third goalie.

The pattern

Pickard’s waiver clearance and emergency recall show a team managing its assets carefully. The Oilers valued depth over a potential cap savings—a decision that says as much about their playoff faith in Pickard as about their caution with their starting duo.

The pattern: Pickard’s waiver clearance and recall reflect a team optimizing for playoff depth, not a long-term commitment.

Is Calvin Pickard a good goalie?

Career statistics

As of his recall, Pickard’s NHL career included 116 games with a 35-54-10 record, a 3.03 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage, per the Edmonton Oilers official release. Those numbers paint the picture of a journeyman backup rather than a starter. But his AHL resume tells a stronger story: in the 2015-16 season he posted 23 wins and a .910 save percentage, earning all-star recognition.

Notable achievements

According to NHL.com, Pickard is the first goaltender in NHL history to earn his first two wins in relief appearances in back-to-back games—a quirky but genuine piece of league trivia. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (49th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Is Calvin Pickard married?

Family life

No confirmed public reports about Calvin Pickard’s marital status exist in the available research. Unlike some players who openly share family details on social media, Pickard keeps his personal life private. This remains a gap for fans curious about his off-ice life.

Confirmed facts

  • Pickard cleared waivers in May 2025 (CTV News Edmonton)
  • Injured during playoff series (Oilers team release)
  • Recalled on emergency basis (Sportsnet)
  • Career NHL record: 35-54-10 (NHL.com)
  • First two NHL wins in relief appearances in consecutive games (NHL.com)

What’s unclear

  • Where Pickard will land next (Sportsnet)
  • Full nature of injury (Oilers team release)
  • Marital status (no public records)
  • Whether another team will claim him if re-exposed (CTV News Edmonton)
  • Whether Pickard will remain in the Oilers organization beyond the 2025 playoffs

“No fitness concerns surrounding Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry.”

Mark Spector, Sportsnet

“Pickard had been limited to 10 AHL games that season because of injury.”

Edmonton Oilers official release

The pattern in Pickard’s season is one of constant movement without permanent resolution. For the Oilers front office, the decision is clear: keep an experienced backup on hand for the playoff push, even if it means carrying three goalies. For Pickard, the next few weeks will determine whether he remains in the NHL or heads back to the AHL—or possibly starts fresh with another team.

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com

Similar to Jeff Skinners waiver situation, Pickard’s waiver clearance underscores the Oilers’ ongoing roster adjustments.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Calvin Pickard’s NHL record?

His career NHL record is 35-54-10 with a 3.03 goals-against average and .903 save percentage, according to the Edmonton Oilers team release.

How many NHL teams has Pickard played for?

He has played for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Edmonton Oilers across his career.

What team does Pickard play for now?

He is currently a member of the Edmonton Oilers organization, playing on an emergency recall from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors (Sportsnet).

What is Pickard’s salary?

He is in the second year of a two-year contract worth $1 million annually, per CTV News Edmonton.

How old is Calvin Pickard?

Born April 15, 1992, he is 33 years old.

Where did Pickard play college hockey?

Pickard did not play college hockey; he was drafted directly from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.

When was Pickard drafted?

He was drafted in the second round, 49th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2010 NHL Draft.

Related reading