Pickard’s agent raises eyebrows with Take on Oilers’ goaltending tandem

Ritch Winter didn’t outright criticize the way the Edmonton Oilers treated his client Calvin Pickard, but he didn’t entirely agree with it either. Speaking in an interview with Jason Gregor from Sports 1440Winter suggested the duo of Connor Ingram and Tristan Jarry haven’t shown enough to suggest Pickard’s run with the Oilers is over.

After Pickard cleared waivers, Winter wondered why Edmonton felt the need to shake the fold in the first place, especially when comparing playoff resumes. “Is there enough evidence to say the other guys are better?” Winter asked.

Pickard has a 9-2 playoff record over the past two seasons and performs well in high-pressure situations. To be fair, he saved the Oilers in the playoffs last season. In contrast, Winter noted that Connor Ingram has limited postseason experience and Tristan Jarry’s track record is mixed at best. He argued that neither has stolen a game for the Oilers all season.

“Collectively they haven’t won nine games in the play-offs, have they?” Winter asked the other netminders, who probably already knew the answer. Gregor pointed out that Jarry has only had a handful of playoff appearances, fewer than Pickard’s wins.

Pickard is the goalie the Oilers rally around

Winter also emphasized the cultural component. He described Pickard as a “big figure in the locker room” and recalled how Leon Draisaitl publicly praised him immediately after he cleared waivers. “These guys know what he did when their season was in tough shape. He delivered.”

He said Pickard believes he still has as good a chance to play in playoff games and succeed in Edmonton as anywhere. Because Ingram and Jarry have been inconsistent, the door remains open.

While Winter acknowledged the business side of hockey, he suggested that Edmonton may be undervaluing intangibles — leadership, confidence and composure during the playoffs — when evaluating it.

In the end, Pickard stayed. But Winter’s comments make it clear that he believes his client has already proven more than enough. Both believe he will get another look, and that he might be the guy the Oilers turn to in the postseason.

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