Calvin Pickard calls out Oilers' coaching staff for relegating him to third string goaltender
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Tyler Ball
Jan 21, 2026 (10:23 PM)
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Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
This evening, in a new interview Oilers' goaltender Calvin Pickard took a subtle dig at head coach Kris Knoblauch for demoting him to third string.
The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending position has been one constantly changing during the 2025-26 season.
To begin the year, the Oilers called upon Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard to be their duo before trading Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In return, they acquired Tristan Jarry who then entered a tandem with Pickard who remained the constant.
Shortly after, Jarry got hurt leaving the Oilers with Pickard and newcomer Connor Ingram.
However, with the recent return of Tristan Jarry and the unexpected good play of Connor Ingram, Pickard now finds himself sitting on the bench not getting game time leaving his future in Edmonton uncertain.
Tonight, Pickard spoke about the challenges of being bench and placed some of the blame on head coach Kris Knoblauch.
Calvin Pickard blames Kris Knoblauch for demoting him to third string goaltender
Pickard started by acknowledging that he was upset with his current situation but does understand how things got to where they are.
It hasn't been my best season. I don't love how it got to this point, but I get it. I can't be boiling mad coming to the rink every day, because that'll just be counterproductive for what I need to do.
He then revealed that he has had conversations with the coaching staff in recent days and weeks that the tone of conversation has changed between the two sides.
I have conversations with the coaching staff and different things, maybe a little bit more stern. But as a teammate, nothing changes for me. A guy in my position - lower contract, not very long of a contract - as a general manager, you're always probably looking to the future. It's tough for me.
It now seems that at 34 years old Pickard will have an uphill battle to earn his spot back in the Oilers lineup and could instead potentially benefit from a change of scenery at the trade deadline.
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JANVIER 21|212 ANSWERS Calvin Pickard calls out Oilers' coaching staff for relegating him to third string goaltender Will the Edmonton Oilers move on from Calvin Pickard before the trade deadline? | ||
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