The Edmonton Oilers have placed goaltender Calvin Pickard on waivers, ending their practice of carrying three netminders. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames waived center Justin Kirkland. Both moves were reported on Sunday by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
On Sunday, two Alberta-based NHL teams made roster adjustments by placing veterans on waivers. The Edmonton Oilers waived goaltender Calvin Pickard, a 33-year-old who has been with the organization for the past four seasons. This season, Pickard appeared in 16 games, posting a 3.68 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage. His playoff performance last season was notable, as he started seven games and appeared in 10, helping the Oilers reach their second straight Stanley Cup final with a 7-1 record.
Pickard, a locker room favorite, is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $1 million against the salary cap. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman opted to reduce the goaltending depth, with Tristan Jarry—acquired in December—and Connor Ingram—traded to the team in October—now leading the crease. Over his 11-year NHL career, Pickard has played 191 games, maintaining a 2.95 GAA and .901 save percentage. If unclaimed within 24 hours, he will join the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, where he has appeared in 42 games across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
In Calgary, the Flames placed 29-year-old center Justin Kirkland on waivers. Kirkland has 50 career NHL games, with 41 coming in the past two seasons. This year, he has played 20 games, recording one goal and one assist. Last season, he appeared in 21 games for the Flames, scoring two goals and eight points total. Should he clear waivers, Kirkland will report to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, where he has played 14 games this season.
These moves reflect ongoing roster management as teams approach the trade deadline.
