Arizona Coyotes claiming Calvin Pickard makes sense
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes claimed goaltender Calvin Pickard from waivers this past week and the move makes sense for the organisation.
Pickard joins an Arizona Coyotes team that already has Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper on the books, with both seemingly entrenched in their starter and backup roles respectively.
Add to that Pickard’s disappointing 11-game stint with the Philadelphia Flyers, which saw the New Brunswick native have a 4-2-2 record, averaging 4.01 goals against and a save percentage of just .863, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that the team could have let this particular player slide.
However, claiming Pickard from waivers is a smart piece of business by General Manager John Chayka.
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The Coyotes currently sport an 11-11-2 record and sit second-bottom in the Pacific Division, five points above the LA Kings and one point behind the Vancouver Canucks – with four games extra to play.
The team’s goaltending situation, while looking stellar on paper, has been fairly shaky this season due to injuries.
Raanta, who looked to be putting himself firmly in the Vezina conversation earlier in the season, has missed games through injuries on two occasions already.
His backup, Kuemper, has also been injured recently – leaving head coach Rick Tocchet with Adin Hill as his best option between the pipes.
While Pickard isn’t likely to ever live up to Raanta’s ability, he might be well-placed to push Kuemper for the backup role.
Until that time, however, Pickard provides the Arizona Coyotes with an experienced NHL player that helped the Toronto Marlies to the Calder Cup championship just a few months ago.
The 26-year-old has 86 games under his belt, but has mostly played for struggling teams such as the 2016/17 Colorado Avalanche.
With the Coyotes, Pickard could have one of the better defences he has had play in front of him, giving him a better opportunity to succeed.
It is unlikely that Pickard will remain with the Coyotes for too long, unless he impresses with every opportunity he is given before Raanta and Kuemper return.
Pickard could find himself placed on waivers once again this season, leaving the possibility that he could be claimed by another goalie-needing team in the NHL.
But, until that day comes, Pickard will serve a purpose for the Arizona Coyotes and his low cap hit of just $800,000 means it will come at virtually no cost to the organisation.
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What do you think Coyotes fans? Are you happy to see Pickard claimed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!