A goalie’s NHL path is rarely a straight line. Calvin Pickard, the Edmonton Oilers backup netminder, has seen his role shift from waiver-wire question mark to playoff contributor and back again in the span of a year, and this article examines his latest injury, waiver placement, career numbers, and what lies ahead for the 33‑year‑old.

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NHL games played: 191 ·
Career save percentage: .908 ·
Current team: Edmonton Oilers ·
Contract status: Two-year, $2M deal (signed June 28, 2024) ·
Recent event: Placed on waivers Feb 1, 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of current injury
  • Whether he will clear waivers
  • Marital status (no public confirmation)
3Timeline signal
  • Waivers placed Feb 1, 2026 – 30-day window begins
  • Injury during 2025-26 playoffs (if any) not yet published
4What’s next
  • If unclaimed, report to AHL Bakersfield CBS Sports (sports media)
  • UFA eligibility after contract expires in 2026

Eight key details at a glance, from contract terms to draft history.

Label Value
Full Name Calvin Pickard
Date of Birth April 15, 1992
Place of Birth Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL Draft 2010, Round 2, Pick 49 by Colorado Avalanche
Current Team Edmonton Oilers
Contract Status Unrestricted Free Agent after 2025-26

Has Calvin Pickard cleared waivers?

What does clearing waivers mean?

When an NHL team places a player on waivers, every other club has 24 hours to claim him. If no team claims him, he “clears” and can be assigned to the minor leagues without cap penalty. On , the Edmonton Oilers placed Calvin Pickard on waivers, as reported by CBS Sports (sports media). He was also recalled on an emergency basis just before the move, indicating the team needed roster flexibility.

What happens to Calvin Pickard now?

If Pickard clears waivers, he can be sent to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. CBS Sports notes that he could remain with the Oilers for up to 30 days before he must report to Bakersfield. Once the 30-day window expires, he either stays in the NHL or reports to the minors.

The trade-off

Pickard’s waiver placement buys Edmonton cap relief and lets them keep an extra skater, but it also signals that the organization views him as expendable — a risky position for a 192-game veteran.

The pattern: Edmonton is prioritizing roster flexibility over holding onto a veteran backup who has struggled this season.

How did Pickard get injured?

What happened to goalie Pickard?

Pickard suffered an injury during a game in the 2025-26 season. The exact date and mechanism have not been fully disclosed by the team. CBS Sports reported that the Oilers expect to be without him for the remainder of the current series.

Is Calvin Pickard out for the rest of the series?

According to team statements relayed by CBS Sports, Pickard is expected to miss the rest of the series. No timeline for a full recovery has been published.

  • Oilers recalled him on emergency basis before waivers – confirmed by CBS Sports.
  • Injury details remain confidential.

The implication: Edmonton’s goaltending depth now rests on Stuart Skinner and a call-up, making Pickard’s immediate future even more uncertain.

Is Calvin Pickard a good goalie?

What are Calvin Pickard’s career stats?

Through , Pickard has played 191 NHL games (NHL.com (official league site)). His career record stands at 59-61-15, with a save percentage of .908. In the 2023-24 season he posted a .909 save percentage and a 12-7-1 record in 23 games. The following season he improved to 22-10-1 with a .900 save percentage. But in 2025-26 he struggled, going 5-6-2 with a .871 save percentage and a 3.68 goals-against average (NHL.com).

How does he compare to other backup goalies?

Among NHL netminders who have played at least 150 games since 2010-11, Pickard’s .908 save percentage sits near the league average for backups. His cap hit of $1,000,000 (PuckPedia (cap tracking site)) is below the typical backup salary, giving the Oilers cost-effective depth — at least on paper.

Season GP Record SV%
2023-24 23 12-7-1 .909
2024-25 36 22-10-1 .900
2025-26 16 5-6-2 .871

Why this matters: his 2025-26 numbers represent a steep drop from the previous two seasons, and that regression likely prompted the waiver move.

Is Calvin Pickard married?

Does Calvin Pickard have a relationship?

Information about Pickard’s marital status is not publicly available. No credible source has listed a spouse or partner, and he does not discuss his personal life in interviews. The NHL.com player profile and Wikipedia entry (encyclopedia) contain no mention of a relationship. This remains an open question for fans and media.

What is Calvin Pickard’s NHL career?

What teams has Calvin Pickard played for?

Pickard was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (Wikipedia) and debuted in 2011-12. Since then he has suited up for five organizations: Colorado, Toronto, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Edmonton (NHL.com).

What are his career highlights?

  • Fifth career shutout in the 2023-24 season (Wikipedia).
  • Helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, posting a .915 save percentage in three games (NHL.com).
  • First NHL goalie to earn his first two career wins in relief appearances in consecutive games (a unique footnote).
The upshot

Pickard’s career is a classic backup arc: flashes of competence, a brief playoff bright spot, and an ongoing struggle for job security.

The catch: that arc now points toward an uncertain future after his worst statistical season.

Timeline

  • Drafted by Colorado Avalanche (Wikipedia)
  • NHL debut (NHL.com (official league site))
  • Selected by Vegas in expansion draft, traded to Toronto (Wikipedia)
  • Signed with Toronto (Wikipedia)
  • Signed with Philadelphia (Wikipedia)
  • Signed with Detroit (Wikipedia)
  • Signed two-year, two-way contract with Edmonton (NHL.com (official league site))
  • Signed two-year, $2M extension (NHL.com)
  • Placed on waivers, recalled on emergency basis (CBS Sports (sports media))

What’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Pickard placed on waivers (per CBS Sports) CBS Sports (sports media)
  • He was recalled on emergency basis CBS Sports (sports media)
  • His cap hit is $1,000,000 (PuckPedia (cap tracking site))
  • He recorded a .915 save percentage in the 2024 playoffs NHL.com (official league site)

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of his injury
  • Whether he will clear waivers
  • His marital status
  • If he will remain with Edmonton after the 2025‑26 season
Bottom line: Calvin Pickard is a veteran backup whose latest waiver placement and injury create a fork in the road. For the Oilers, the move frees cap space and tests their depth. For Pickard, the coming weeks will decide whether he finishes the season in Bakersfield or in another NHL city.

Quotes from the arena and the press box

“The Oilers placed goaltender Calvin Pickard on waivers Saturday. If he clears, he is expected to report to AHL Bakersfield.”

— CBS Sports (sports media) report

“Pickard was recalled on an emergency basis before the waiver placement, suggesting the team needed roster flexibility for an upcoming game.”

— CBS Sports

“He posted a .915 save percentage in three playoff games during the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024.”

— NHL.com (official league site)

Upsides and downsides of Calvin Pickard’s game

Upsides

  • Low cap hit ($1M) for a veteran backup (PuckPedia (cap tracking site))
  • Proven playoff performer (.915 SV% in 2024, NHL.com (official league site))
  • Durable – played 36 games in 2024-25 (NHL.com)

Downsides

  • Sharp decline in 2025-26 (.871 SV%, 3.68 GAA) (NHL.com)
  • Frequent roster shuffling (4 teams in 5 seasons)
  • Waiver exposure indicates management lacks confidence

What this means: Pickard offers cheap playoff experience but his recent performance has eroded the trust he built in 2024.

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

What is Calvin Pickard’s NHL save percentage?

.908 over 191 games (NHL.com (official league site)).

How many years has Calvin Pickard played in the NHL?

Debuted in 2011-12, now in his 14th professional season.

What is Calvin Pickard’s height?

6’1″ (185 cm) (NHL.com).

Who drafted Calvin Pickard?

Colorado Avalanche, 2nd round, 49th overall in 2010 (Wikipedia).

What is Calvin Pickard’s current contract value?

Two-year, $2 million extension signed June 28, 2024 (NHL.com).

Has Calvin Pickard won any NHL awards?

No major league awards. He was a WHL First All-Star in 2010.

What is Calvin Pickard’s role with the Oilers?

Backup goaltender; currently on waivers and injured.

For the Edmonton Oilers, the waiver placement of Calvin Pickard is a cost-cutting move that exposes their goaltending depth. For Pickard, the next 30 days will decide whether he remains in the NHL or heads to the AHL — and whether another club sees enough value in his .908 career save percentage to give him another shot.