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Oilers assign Samanski and Pickard to Bakersfield Condors ahead of Olympic break
Edmonton Oilers Josh Samanski
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Feb 5, 2026, 01:30 ESTUpdated: Feb 5, 2026, 03:02 EST
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The Edmonton Oilers front office went to work immediately after Wednesday’s loss to the Calgary Flames, assigning two players to the Bakersfield Condors. 
Josh Samanski and Calvin Pickard have been sent down to the AHL, the club announced, but whether either will play there remains to be seen.
Samanski earned his first NHL call-up in late January, playing five consecutive games, earning two assists, his first NHL points, in those games. 
He will be headed to Milan-Cortina to join Team Germany at the Olympics along with Leon Draisaitl, who sizzled Oilersnation with frustrated comments about the Oilers’ play in his final post-game before the break. 
This indicates that when the Oilers resume play on Feb. 25th, Samanski could begin in Bakersfield. Forward Adam Henrique should be available to return from injury, but his first stretch of NHL games showed some of his strengths. 
In the AHL, Samanski has seven goals and 28 points in 39 games.  
Meanwhile, Calvin Pickard hasn’t played since January 8 and was the third goalie behind Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram. Pickard does not have to report to the AHL until Feb 17, according to the Olympic freeze rules, being sent down after the last game. 
Pickard cleared waivers on Monday afternoon, as his Oilers teammates lamented his departure from the group, as the 34-year-old netminder has ingrained himself as a valued teammate. 
However, the Condors’ goaltending has been tremendous this season, with Connor Ungar playing lights out along with Matt Tomkins. 
The undrafted Ungar is 8-1 since being called up from the ECHL, with a 1.76 goals against average and a .946 save percentage. Those are simply sensational numbers. 
Tomkins has 13-6-5 with a 2.85 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. 
Bakersfield is set to play seven games between February 6-24. 
Pickard is no stranger to the American Hockey League. He played a total of 42 games with the Condors in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons before establishing himself as the Oilers number two goalie, and going on a Cinderella playoff run in the 2025 playoffs. 

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