Despite Unusual Situation, Agent Explains Pickard’s Loyalty to Oilers
Pickard's agent reveals why the goalie chose loyalty and opportunity with the Edmonton Oilers, even amidst a crowded crease and waiver uncertainty.
Video Transcript
The other big addition was, you know, putting Cal Pickard in for the second period.
That caught me by surprise.
I don't think that I would've blamed Stuart Skinner really on any of those goals, like, two, two of the three were on the power play.
Mm-hmm.
Especially- But- ... that first one, the first one from Tkachuk, that angle- Yeah.
I mean- Yeah ... he- it's hard to blame Skinner for that one.
So- He- I, I That looked like it was more of just a, "All right- Yeah ... we just need a momentum change."
Yeah.
You know, Mike, you're saying for sure you're gonna go to, back to Pickard.
I kind of agree with you.
Yeah.
At the same time, what a weird scenario.
Like, s- i- it's been such a rollercoaster for Stuart Skinner.
Like, he was awful against LA, Cal Pickard comes in, he gets hurt, Stuart Skinner comes back in, was just amazing in the, in the next two rounds, and then here we are again, and it looks like Stuart Skinner's reverted to his old self again.
So I'm, I'm kind of with you, Michael Ajello.
I, I think that you have to give the net back to Cal Pickard, but would you actually be surprised if we don't see Skinner back in the net again, just with how these playoffs have gone?
Well, I mean, I get that sort of Ilya Samsonov vibe.
I mean, if, if Pickard stays healthy, he's in there for the rest of this series.
Yeah.
But he was injured, and that was the only reason he was p- he left, when, I think it was against Vegas.
and he was 6 and 0 at the p- at that point.
So, you know, the only way you see Skinner is if Pickard g- gets hurt again, and we hope that doesn't happen.
But, yeah, I mean, I think it was a momentum change, pure and simple.
Do I blame Skinner for any of the three goals?
No, I mean, he had, he had no chance on the Lundell goal.
But at a certain point, you just have to say, "This isn't working.
He's given up nine goals in four periods.
we need something to change things up."
And I You know, the funny thing is, in my mind's eye, I look at Calvin Pickard, and I see the guy who played for the Toronto Marlies a few years back, and that's not the same guy.
I mean, he- Yeah ... you know, he's, he's a backup in the NHL, but backups can get hot, and he's hot, so you ride that guy as long as you can.
