On Sunday, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard was placed on NHL waivers, eventually clearing on Monday.

Before the transaction was officially through, there was worry in the Edmonton locker room that Pickard could be claimed by another team. The 33-year-old goaltender played a big role in helping the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances and became one of the most popular teammates. However, after a poor start to the year, he fell to the position of third goalie.

Speaking before Pickard officially cleared waivers, Oilers alternate captain Leon Draisaitl talked about what Pickard means to the team.

“It’s not fun,” Draisaitl said on Monday. “I think I speak for everyone in here that he’s one of the greatest teammates all of us have had, did a lot of great things for this organization. Played a lot of big games, a lot of big wins. So, that part of the business is always tough. To see people go, or leave for a little bit. Not easy certainly, but whatever happens, he’s a great goalie and a great human being, so he’s going to be okay.”

Meanwhile, Mattias Ekholm came in with a different perspective, opting to look at the bright side of Pickard’s stint in Edmonton.

“I’m trying to look at it in the best way possible,” Ekholm said. “When he got up here, I don’t think anyone was expecting him to have the kind of run that he had for us. Amazing teammate, amazing guy. Probably the most vocal guy in here, but he didn’t have any sort of reason, it’s just him. Honestly, I think he helped a lot of guys in here, just taking pressure off of big moments. That’s what those guys do, it’s so impressive. And it’s not like he’s saying something every night, it’s just he’s being him. He’s a nice, loose guy. He’s not afraid even though it’s a Stanley Cup Final, or it’s a game 47. He’ll be joking around the room and making you less tense.”

The veteran defenceman also made sure to credit that he was more than just a locker room presence.

“On the other side, he wasn’t just there because he was that,” Ekholm continued. “He was a hell of a goalie for us, he was 6-0 in the playoffs.”

Pickard’s future in Bakersfield is currently unclear with two solid goaltenders already with the Condors, but according to Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor, Pickard will likely remain in Edmonton for now and take off the Olympic break.

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