More Starts For Oilers' Pickard?

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Post on Feb 09, 2025

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More Starts for Oilers' Pickard? A Goalie's Potential Breakout Season

The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation has been a topic of much discussion amongst fans and analysts alike. While Stuart Skinner has solidified his position as the number one goalie, the question remains: could we see more starts for Oilers prospect, Calvin Pickard? This season presents a unique opportunity for Pickard to showcase his abilities and potentially carve out a more significant role within the Oilers organization.

Assessing Pickard's Potential

Pickard, a veteran netminder with NHL experience, brings a wealth of knowledge and a steady presence to the crease. While not a flashy, high-flying goalie, he's known for his solid fundamentals, positional awareness, and ability to make the key saves. His career hasn't always been smooth sailing, but his experience in the AHL and sporadic NHL appearances provide valuable insight and resilience.

Pickard's Strengths:

• Reliable Backup: Pickard is a dependable backup goalie. His experience makes him a valuable asset for a team looking for consistent performance when the starter needs a rest.
• Veteran Presence: The Oilers are a young team, and Pickard's veteran presence in the locker room can provide a calming influence on younger players.
• Consistent Performance: While not spectacular, Pickard consistently performs to a decent level, offering stability in the net.

Challenges for Pickard:

• Competition: Skinner's strong performance has cemented his place as the starter. Pickard faces a stiff competition for playing time.
• Limited Opportunities: Without injuries or a significant downturn in Skinner's play, opportunities for Pickard will be limited.
• Maintaining Sharpness: Consistent playing time is crucial for goalies to maintain their sharpness and peak performance. Limited playing time can affect Pickard's consistency.

The Case for More Starts

Despite the challenges, several factors could lead to an increased number of starts for Pickard:

• Skinner's workload management: To prevent burnout and maintain Skinner's performance throughout the long season, the Oilers' coaching staff may opt to give him more rest, providing Pickard with more game opportunities.
• Injury prevention: Resting Skinner strategically can help minimize the risk of injury, a common concern for goalies. Pickard's readiness ensures a capable replacement is available.
• Evaluating Pickard's potential: Giving Pickard more playing time allows the Oilers' coaching staff to assess his current abilities and determine his long-term potential within the organization. This is crucial for future roster decisions.

The Bottom Line: Opportunity Knocks

While the path to more starts isn't guaranteed, the possibility remains a strong consideration for the Oilers. Pickard's experience, reliability, and the need for effective workload management for Skinner all contribute to the case for increased playing time. Ultimately, the number of starts Pickard receives will depend on various factors throughout the season. However, his presence provides valuable depth for the Oilers and a potential opportunity for a strong performance breakthrough. Keep an eye on Pickard; this could be his season to shine.

Keywords:

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