Even after a disastrous 2016-17 season for the Colorado Avalanche, Calvin Pickard was ready for the challenge of a new NHL season when the Vegas Golden Knights selected him first overall in their expansion draft on June 21, 2017.



With 86 NHL games already under his belt, the former Avalanche heir apparent saw no reason to suspect he wouldn’t be in the NHL for another season. Even behind a tough-to-win-with Colorado roster, Pickard had managed a respectable .904 save percentage in all situations — and he’d followed up his first full season as an interim starter with a fantastic performance for Canada at the World Championships in May.



Then October rolled around and the Golden Knights were given the opportunity to take another goaltender they wanted. Malcolm Subban of the Boston Bruins hit waivers, and goaltending coach Dave Prior’s fondness for Subban’s style had them scrambling to pick up the former first rounder.



That left...