Observations:

July 2016 – Pickard signed a two year contract with the Avalanche at a price point just over 1 million per season – indicating that he has finally secured his role as a full time backup in Colorado. He has earned this spot with solid play when called up over the last few seasons, and has gotten hot enough in those times that stealing starts from Varlamov is a real possibility. Dont sleep on this backup in your leagues, as he has the potential to get an above-average number of starts and has bargain value. Hayden Soboleski

March 2016 – Between ongoing injuries to Berra and inconsistent play from Varlamov, Pickard has been given a fair amount of the starting duty in Colorado. He's up to 11 starts on the season and a 0.921 SV% – not quite as strong as he showed last season but close enough and good enough that this will likely be his last campaign where he spends time in the AHL. Hayden Soboleski

December 2015 – Pickard was briefly called up to the Avalanche in Varlamov's absence, where he recorded a disappointing 0.840 Sv% in two games (both were entered late in relief of Berra). He continues to dominate the AHL however, where he currently holds a 0.920 Sv%, 2.64 GAA, and a 8-3-0-1 record. Hayden Soboleski

November 2015 – Pickard has been named AHL Goalie of the Month for October. Hayden Soboleski

September 2015 – Pickard has been assigned to the AHL and will be the starter for San Antonio until his first call-up duties (which he he thrived on in 2014-15). His battle with Reto Berra for the backup role on the Avalanche is ongoing, and Berra's leash will be short if Pickard can match or improve on his excellent numbers from last season. Hayden Soboleski

August 2015 – Pickard has signed a two-way, one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He will compete with Berra (whose pricier contract may give provide an advantage) for the backup role behind Varlamov next season but as proven last season, injuries can always lead to extended opportunities. Hayden Soboleski

May 2015 – Thanks to injuries to Varlamov and Berra, Pickard ended up playing 16 games for the Avalanche in the 2014-15 season, going 6-7-3 with a GAA of 2.35 and a save percentage of 0.932. These stats were even better than the already strong numbers that he posted in 50 games in the AHL (23-17-9, 3 shutouts, 2.61 GAA and 0.917 SV %). Pickard has out-dueled his internal competition in the AHL and has become the top candidate for NHL call-ups when needed. Unexpected opportunities have given the technically-sound Pickard the chance to show that he is a viable option for the Avalanche if circumstances provide an opportunity.  Hayden Soboleski

October 2014­ Talk about being thrown into the fire; called up as an injury replacement for Varlamov -who is on IR due to a groin injury- Pickard was originally slated to back up Berra against Ottawa October 16. Things changed quickly from there when Berra went down with an injury during the first period and was unable to return. In Pickard’s first NHL action, he took the loss posting 23 saves on 27 shots. Not an overly impressive line, but given the circumstances it could have been much worse.

June 2014 – Pickard finished his second full season with Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. His statistics took a small step backwards from last season, as he went from 20-19-5 (2.47 GAA, .918 SV%) to 16-18-7 (2.85 GAA, .906 SV%). Sami Aittokallio, whom Pickard shares the crease with, received a bigger workload this season than last. Pickard will get another season in the AHL under his belt this year and it’s going to be a crucial one – as this is the last year of his entry-level contract.   Chris Bagwell

April 2013 – Calvin Picard has been called up for another stint with the Colorado Avalanche April 23rd and will serve as back up to Varlamov. Andrew Ward

February 2013 – Calvin Pickard is a work horse type goalie; his playing style is comparable to Tim Thomas, being a butterfly hybrid goalie, he adjusts to whatever style is needed to make the save. Pickard has sound positioning and excellent net presence. He tends to see a lot of rubber, and that hasn’t changed with the Lake Erie Monsters, facing 822 shots this season in 1582 minutes of play. He is currently sharing the net with Sami Aittokallio but has still carried the majority of minutes for the team.  In his first full time campaign with the Lake Erie Monsters Pickard leads the team with 13 wins, and a respectable .914 save percentage, complimented by three shutouts. At only 6-1, Pickard is deceptively large in net and has a very relaxed demeanor between the pipes. Although December wasn’t his best month, winning only two of six games played, he followed it up by winning six of seven for the month of January. In his final campaign with The Seattle Thunderbirds he not only led in minutes played, he became the WHL’s all-time leader in saves. This bodes well for Pickard as he seems to get better facing a higher number of shots. With COL sitting at the high end of shots faced over the last two years, he is likely to be comfortable in that style of play. Andrew Ward

Fantasy Outlook: B+

The skills to be a starter, but young enough that it will be a few more years before he forces the issue. Backup at best in the short term.

Footage:

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