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Calvin Pickard Reveals Truth About Oilers-Penguins Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 9:23 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers dropped a 4-1 decision to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, ending their five-game point streak.

Oilers netminder Calvin Pickard, who remained with the team following fellow goaltender Stuart Skinner's trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins, faced heavy pressure from the Canadiens and made multiple breakaway stops in Edmonton's loss.

Still in everybody's minds was the recent trade bringing former Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry to the Oilers and how Skinner and Pickard might have been teasing it for a few games because of their postgame hugs.

Pickard, however, told Sportsnet after Sunday's loss that those moments meant nothing and that the two goalies were just messing with people.

On a night when all the top Oilers delivered C-minus performances, there was Calvin Pickard, “dealing with it.”@SportsnetSpec breaks down Edmonton's loss and how the backup goalie handled not just the outcome, but also saying goodbye to Stuart Skinner. https://t.co/VfD04lHKpF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 15, 2025

“No,” Pickard said when asked if they knew anything about a trade being in the works in advance. “We were just screwing around with everybody.”

Pickard explained how the joke began in the game against the Seattle Kraken played on Dec. 4.

“Ya [we didn't know anything], because after the first [hug] that happened — it was a long one, because I was so mad at letting that goal in with four seconds left, and we won 9-4 — and then you guys read into it too much,” Pickard said. “Then we were screwing around there after the next two wins.

“It doesn't look like we were screwing around, obviously, with [a trade] happening. But that was the truth.”

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) celebrates with fellow goalie Calvin Pickard (30) after a win.Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

On a more serious note, Pickard discussed the impact of losing such a close teammate (as well as defenseman Brett Kulak) in the middle of the season and the struggles of dealing with such a development.

“It’s definitely felt weird,” Pickard said. “You know, Skins and Cooley just leave in the blink of an eye. Two big parts of our team since I've been here. Two good friends.”

Goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped 27 shots for Montreal on Sunday, while Zach Hyman scored Edmonton’s lone goal in the loss to the Canadiens.

Pickard could face Skinner on Tuesday when the Oilers visit Pittsburgh with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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