Details started dropping before last night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Edmonton Oilers were about to acquire defender Jake Walman. That one came entirely out of left field, as no one had him on anyone’s radar until David Pagnotta dropped the link between the teams on X.
It took a while until confirmation came, likely due to the Oilers’ roster size having Cam Dineen under emergency recall. But shortly after midnight local time, the rest of the trade dropped. Jake Walman is a member of the Edmonton Oilers.
Jake Walman trade return
The return on this deal initially had us concerned. All we heard was that it was a first-round pick and more headed back to San Jose. With how much of a seller’s market the league is this trade deadline, the actual return felt like a relief.
A first-round pick that is top-12 protected and likely to be a late-round pick anyways, along with a 25-year-old left-shot centre who has yet to make a major impact in the AHL.
That package for a defender in a breakout season who still has another year left in a cost-controlled contract at $3.4M.
Much better than originally expected.
What will Jake Walman provide to the Oilers?
It may be an odd fit at first glance. Walman is an offence-first defender, much like Evan Bouchard and John Klingberg already are. But this deal allows them to spread all of these players throughout the lineup with more defensively sound partners.
Walman is a left shot, though he can play both sides which increases his versatility. However, he does prefer to and plays better on the left side, indicating the Oilers may play him with with Ty Emberson on the third pairing while bumping Brett Kulak up to the second pairing.
Though, don’t be surprised if one of Walman or Nurse shift to the right side to play them as the second pair.
Walman also gives the seldom used second power play unit a permanent quarterback. Maybe with him at the helm, that unit will get more playing time.
What are your thoughts on the deal? Drop a comment down below!
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