First major exit confirmed as Oilers goalie announces his own departure

If there is one team expected to make major changes this summer, it’s the Edmonton Oilers.

With Connor McDavid’s long-term future remaining one of the biggest storylines in hockey, the organization enters a crucial offseason under immense pressure to improve its roster and convince its superstar captain that Edmonton remains the place to chase a Stanley Cup.

And one change has already been confirmed.

Veteran goaltender Calvin Pickard seemed to reveal on his personal Instagram account that he will not be returning to the Oilers next season, posting a farewell message thanking the city of Edmonton and the team’s fans.

While the organization has not yet made an official announcement regarding its goaltending plans, Pickard’s message appears to confirm that Edmonton has decided to move in a different direction.

The decision comes after another disappointing playoff run that once again raised questions about the team’s performance in net.

Over the past three postseasons, Edmonton’s goaltending numbers have steadily declined. The Oilers posted a combined playoff save percentage of .902 in 2024, .888 in 2025, and just .867 in 2026.

As a result, many around the league expected changes to be coming between the pipes.

It also remains unclear what the future holds for the rest of Edmonton’s goaltending group. The club acquired Tristan Jarry last season in hopes that he could stabilize the position, but the move failed to produce the desired results. By the end of the year, Jarry had fallen behind in the organizational depth chart, creating even more uncertainty heading into the summer.

Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to deal with several other major storylines, including their coaching search and ongoing efforts to position the franchise for what could be a defining year in McDavid’s future.

If Pickard’s departure is any indication, the changes in Edmonton may only be getting started.