Good Bye Calvin Pickard

By Richard Gonzalez

The NHL had their expansion draft for the Las Vegas Golden Knights on June 21st, 2017. The Colorado Avalanche chose to expose Calvin Pickard in favor of Semyon Varlamov. There was a lot of debate about the Golden Knights possibly selecting Pickard, Mark Barberio, or Mikhail Grigorenko. The Avalanche were first on the broad and the Golden Knights drafted Pickard (sad face). 

Calvin Pickard was drafted in the 2nd round (49th overall) of the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Avalanche. Pickard played for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Canadian Hockey League. He signed his entry-level deal with the Avalanche on March 25th, 2011. He was assigned to the Avalanche’ AHL team the Lake Erie Monsters. He played in only 2 games allowing 4 goals and earning 1 win before being sent back to the Thunderbirds. 

Pickard would play 47 games with the Monsters earning 20 wins and 3 shutouts. He played a total 163 games between the Lake Erie Monsters and the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. He had 69 wins, 62 losses, 11 shutouts, 2.65 GAA, and a save percentage of .914. 

On October 16th, 2014, he was recalled to the Avalanche after starting goaltender  Varlamov was placed on injured reserve. The Avalanche played the Ottawa Senators that night having former goaltender Reto Berra to start. Berra would have to leave the game after he got hurt from a collision. Pickard would make his NHL debut to replace Berra. He allowed 4 goals on 27 shots and the Avalanche lost 5-2 against the Senators. Pickard was sent back down the Monsters on October 25th, 2014. He was later recalled on November 18th, 2014, after Varlamov got injured again. On November 22nd, 2017, Berra got pulled after playing poorly and Pickard came to replace him. He stopped all 17 shots he faced and helped the Avalanche win 4-3 in overtime and earned his first NHL win. He would eventually continue to outplay Berra and earned the starting role until Varlamov was healthy. 

Pickard would start the 2015/2016 season with the new AHL team the  San Antonio Rampage. He was soon recalled back to the Avalanche after Varlamov injured his groin. On January 16th, 2016, Pickard would be the starting goaltender against the New Jersey Devils. He stopped all 27 shots he faced helping the Avalanche win 3-0 and earning his first career NHL shutout. On July 5th, 2016, Pickard signed a 2 year 2 million dollar contract extension with the Avalanche. 

Pickard played a total of 86 games (74 starting) with the Avalanche. He has 28 wins, 48 losses, and 6 overtime losses. He had an overall 2.77 GAA and a .914 save percentage. 

Pickard was one of my favorites. He worked hard each and every game. He gave the Avalanche an opportunity each game. He is still developing and is able to be a reliable backup especially with a decent defensive core in front of him. I wish him all the best in Las Vegas and thank him for all the years he gave us in Colorado. 

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June 22nd, 2017