Fansided

Five players to watch at the 2017 IIHF World Championship

By Nic Hendrickson

Apr 6, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) battle for the puck in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) battle for the puck in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 IIHF World Championship should be fun to watch, and we have five players that need watching.

5. Calvin Pickard – Goaltender – Canada

Pickard is a promising young netminder, of that there is no doubt. Despite the fact that he played on one of the worst NHL teams in recent memory, he can’t take much of the blame for Colorado’s shortcomings. He is a goaltender with a relatively high ceiling, and with the right structure can be a solid NHL starter for years to come.

Before being drafted by the Avalanche, Pickard played in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds for four seasons. In his four years there, Pickard compiled a record of 91-120-27. Pickard had a save percentage above .906 for his last three years in Seattle, and was much of the reason why they weren’t exponentially worse than what they were between 2008-2012.

After being selected 49th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pickard plied his trade in the AHL for roughly five seasons with the Lake Erie Monsters, now Cleveland Monsters, and the San Antonio Rampage. During that time he made leaps in his development, and he even had a record of 60-54-21 record.

Pickard come onto the scene in Colorado back in the 2014-15 season, but didn’t get handed the reins until this season when starting goalie Semyon Varlamov underwent season-ending surgery on his hip. In his first season as a full-time starter he went 15-31-2, with a 2.98 goals against average, and a .904 save percentage. While these numbers are less than impressive, they should be taken with a grain of salt when accounting for the fact that the team in front of him was nothing short of atrocious.

Another reason Pickard should peak your interest is the fact that he could possibly be left unprotected for the impending expansion draft this summer. The Vegas Golden Knights will surely be keeping an eye on Pickard at the World Championship in hopes that they’re watching their future starting goaltender.

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