Oilers G Calvin Pickard not expected to miss significant time

It appears Edmonton Oilers backup goaltender Calvin Pickard has avoided a serious injury after a Saturday night scare.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Sunday that Pickard is suffering from a sore neck, but expects the netminder to return to the ice in the coming days.

The 32-year-old was forced to leave Saturday’s pre-season tilt against the Seattle Kraken after an on-ice collision with teammate Noah Philip.

The veteran goalie, who is expected to be the Oilers’ primary backup this season, signed a two-year, $2 million extension with Edmonton in June.

Pickard took over the backup job from Jack Campbell last season going a 12-7-1 record in 23 games played with a 2.45 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

He also started two games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the team looking to give Stuart Skinner a rest, going 1-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

Edmonton signed Pickard to a two-year deal in 2022 and he spent his first year in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, going 23-12-2 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.