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Calvin Pickard Selected No. 1 by Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 Expansion Draft
June 22, 2017
Calvin Pickard is the first member of the Vegas Golden Knights after the franchise selected him first overall in the 2017 NHL expansion draft.
The Knights confirmed the selection on Twitter:
The Colorado Avalanche reacted to the selection as well:
Pickard appeared in 50 games for the Avalanche this past season, going 15-31-2. He had a .904 save percentage and allowed 2.98 goals a game.
The Denver Post's Mike Chambers was disappointed to see Pickard leave the Mile High City:
The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his contract before he becomes a restricted free agent, and he'll earn $1.075 million.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported before the draft the Knights plan on selecting Marc-Andre Fleury, with the Pittsburgh Penguins throwing in a draft pick to sweeten the deal. Assuming Fleury is a part of Vegas' future, using the No. 1 pick on Pickard makes even more sense.
Fleury can be the regular starter between the pipes, bringing a certain level of star power to the franchise by virtue of his role in helping the Pittsburgh Penguins win three Stanley Cups. Pickard can be a solid backup, spelling Fleury when the team wants to give him a rest or filling in when the veteran goaltender is dealing with an injury.
The 2000-01 season was the last time the NHL welcomed in an expansion franchise as the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined the league.
In the 2000 expansion draft, the Blue Jackets selected another Avalanche goaltender, Rick Tabaracci, with the first overall pick.