In the off-season, he was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In 2008–09, he recorded a 2.28 GAA and .921 save percentage, while helping lead the Americans to their second straight U.S. Division title. He was nominated for his second Del Wilson Trophy opposite Braden Holtby of the Saskatoon Blades[2] and named to the WHL West First All-Star Team.
In the 2012–13 season, Pickard signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan side, Djurgårdens IF. In 45 games, Pickard earned a professional career-high 25 wins to help Djurgårdens advance to the Kvalserien playoffs.
Pickard returned to North America in the off-season and agreed to a try-out at the San Antonio Rampage training camp for the 2013–14 season.[3] He was later released by the Rampage before on November 8, 2013, he was signed to an AHL deal with the Oklahoma City Barons and then loaned to the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.[4]
On June 10, 2014, Pickard returned for another stint in Europe, signing a one-year contract to be the starting goaltender with Danish club Odense Bulldogs of the Metal Ligaen.[5] At the starting goaltender with the Bulldogs, Pickard enjoyed a successful season in appearing in 36 games.
On May 22, 2015, Pickard left Denmark to sign an optional two-year deal with German club Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL. He was slated to begin as the backup to starting goaltender Mathias Lange.[6] In the 2016–17 season with the Roosters, Pickard appeared in 26 games with the Roosters, posting just 6 wins as Iserlohn finished out of playoff contention. On March 3, 2017, it was announced that Pickard would not re-new his contract.[7]
On April 28, 2017, Pickard decided to continue in the DEL, agreeing to a two-year contract to assume the backup duties with Adler Mannheim.[8]
After claiming the DEL Championship in his final season under contract with Mannheim in 2018–19, Pickard left as a free agent to sign a two-year contract with Grizzlys Wolfsburg on May 2, 2019.[9]
Following his third year with Grizzlys Wolfsburg in the 2021–22 season, and despite being under contract, Pickard ended his 13-year professional career by announcing his retirement on July 26, 2022.[10]