Edmonton Goalie Leaves Oilers to Sign Overseas in the KHL

A second-round pick by Edmonton, 62nd overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft, Olivier Rodrigue spent the last three seasons with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

The 24-year-old became the starter for Bakersfield when Calvin Pickard was called up to Edmonton and Jack Campbell left the team.

Olivier Rodrigue appeared in two games in 2024-25 as a debut in the NHL and was in the running for the Oilers' third-string role. However, a tough AHL season and upcoming arbitration rights likely factored into Edmonton's decision to let him go.

The crease of the Condors grew more crowded with the signings of prospects Nathaniel Day and Eemil Jonsson, and Rodrigue had no seeming organizational role.

As of June 30, the Edmonton Oilers chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Rodrigue. He became an unrestricted free agent and could sign with any NHL or AHL club.

Now, according to NHL insider Jesse Courville-Lynch, Rodrigue is headed to the KHL's Barys Astana.

While this move may be the end of his NHL career for now, Rodrigue's career is far from over. He had flashes of brilliant play in the AHL and will look to bring that on-ice success with him to the KHL with Barys Astana.

Whether or not he returns to the NHL remains to be seen, but he now sets out on a new journey overseas.