Calvin Pickard’s agent isn’t very happy with the Edmonton Oilers.

Ritch Winter, Pickard’s agent, appeared on the Jason Gregor Show, and to no surprise, one of the main topics surrounded his client. Pickard, of course, was placed on waivers earlier this month after being demoted to a third-string role behind Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram.

Many felt that placing Pickard on waivers was justified, as he’d posted a 3.68 GAA and a .871 SV% through 16 games. That said, those numbers are very similar to Jarry’s.

“This situation’s been a bit unusual, because in the conversations I had with Stan [Bowman], he’s not sure Calvin’s not number one,” Winter said.

“There’s not a lot of difference between them. Their statistics are very similar.”

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Winter also mentioned what everybody already knew when it came to Pickard’s popularity within the dressing room. Many Oilers players have vocalized in the past just how much the 33-year-old meant to the group.

“The issue I have is that you could have sent Ingram down. Now, they got Calvin through minors, so that worked out okay. But, there’s so many factors that come into winning. We’ve heard it for two years. Every time Calvin’s in the net, everybody says the guys play better because they love him, because they want him to succeed.”

Winter also mentioned Pickard’s play in last year’s playoffs, where he relieved Stuart Skinner in the first round versus the LA Kings and went on to win seven of his eight starts.

Only time will tell whether or not Winter is correct in his assessment, though there is no denying that placing Pickard on waivers wasn’t an easy decision for Oilers management. Despite struggling immensely this season, they continued to trot him out in hopes he could turn things around.

Given that Pickard was unclaimed on waivers, it is possible we see him back in the Oilers crease this season due to either injury or further struggles from Jarry and/or Ingram. Should that opportunity arise, Winter assured all that Pickard will be more than ready to seize the moment.

“Calvin’s pretty level-headed about it. This is not something that’s unfamiliar to him. It might break another guy. It’ll just motivate him.”

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