Although the group takes its fair share of public criticism, the Edmonton Oilers have one of the better bluelines in the NHL. Darnell Nurse has long been a minutes leader, and clearly the simultaneous arrival of Mattias Ekholm and emergence of Evan Bouchard started to tip the scale. Brett Kulak has certainly been a stabilizing force. By then the blueline was solid, though the Oilers still seemed to lack another top option. As Nurse, Ekholm, and Kulak are all left shots, Oil Country debated nearly every right shot defenceman on the market. Given Bouchard’s offensive lean, defensive ability seemed paramount.
In the end, the Oilers adorned their solid unit with an offensively gifted left shot, Jake Walman. Relatively unheralded, Walman had shown flashes of offence, as well as strong underlying stats, early in his career. Still, a regular NHL job had remained elusive, as Walman bounced from team to team. In fact, Walman was traded for future considerations last offseason.
Another devastating Stanley Cup Final, to undersell the glorious journey there, proved that Walman could be a great addition for the Oilers long term. Entering the final season of his deal, we asked our readers how long the Oilers should look to extend his services.
One or two years is unlikely
Though his play has always seemed effective, the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings both seem to have moved on from Walman recklessly. The San Jose Sharks were able to command a return from the Oilers, but Walman hardly fit into their long term plan. In all the lack of trust shown by his organizations is a bit concerning, as until the trade deadline Walman had yet to play a key role on a strong team.
Perhaps this hole in his resume is enough to garner some concern. Granted, only the smallest portion of voters saw a short contract as the proper path forward. Often, contract term can be negotiated against cap hit, though the cap rising drastically in the coming years might alter the equation. What cannot be altered is the fact that Connor McDavid’s contract is up at the end of the year.
The fact that the Oilers are already certain of next season’s cap is an advantage, and quite frankly the Oilers should be willing to do whatever it takes to retain their captain. In short, Walman’s contract cannot hold any priority in figuring out the cap structure beyond this season.
Save for Walman taking an extreme discount, there is only the faintest of likelihood that the Oilers could sign Walman to such a short deal while McDavid re-signs. Clearly there is not much appetite for a short term deal.
Three or four years might not be it either
Turning 30 years old in February 2026, Walman’s age might be a factor in the higher voter percentage here. Roughly a third of votes envision a deal in the three or four year range. In a sense, this length of contract would be the best of both worlds, keeping Walman in the fold for a good chunk of time without committing to him past his mid 30s.
The only downside here might be the realities of the negotiation, where less years mean more cap dollars. Since becoming an elite team, the Oilers have consistently brushed up against the cap ceiling, even being forced to offload higher salaries.
With the rising cap, some players have intentionally opted for shorter contracts hoping to re-up for even more money on their next deals. Walman has had relatively small and short contracts to this point, and his age means that this is likely his best opportunity to cash in on a more substantial contract. While prudent, the restraint offered by voters is likely representative of an understanding that a shorter deal is less likely.
Most likely to sign five or six years
The winner of our poll, many see a five- or six-year deal as the outcome the Oilers should pursue. A deal of this length would line up with Walman’s age, as he should be able to maintain his effectiveness until his mid 30s. This longer term deal would be the most substantial of Walman’s career, providing the veteran with some well deserved stability. It might also prove to be the inflection point for cap hit, where the Oilers might be able to keep the AAV at a more manageable level.
In essence, this option winning proves that fans see Walman’s value, and that they are interested in keeping him around. While quite effective offensively, Walman is not without value defensively. Strong and stout, Walman took on a difficult task during his time with the Oilers last season, killing penalties on his weak side. This versatility might prove vital given the number of left shots the Oilers have on the roster, potentially setting Walman up to take on huge minutes as Nurse’s defence partner at even strength.
Seven or eight years may be a tad too long
The voting curve takes effect, as a long term deal of seven or eight seasons seems a bit too long for most fans. For this reason it might also be the most likely. Though such a deal would take Walman well into his late 30s, the security it provides the player would give the Oilers a good discount on cap hit. In the spirit of maximizing the moment, as in the prime years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, aggressive risks to keep cap hits low for the rest of the team are more sensible.
Perhaps near the end of the deal the Oilers can reconfigure if needed. The possibility of injuries or retirement taking Walman off the books for the final season or two of this deal still exists, as does the possibility of trading the contract away at the right time. The rising cap should continue to be a big help here, as seen with some of the Oilers offloading this offseason. Though recent cap casualties Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson did not fetch a steep return, the Oilers were not forced to add sweeteners just to do so.
Naturally the prospective McDavid contract will dictate the parameters of all subsequent manoeuvres. In the interest of the team keeping cap hits low, this length of contract would be beneficial. From the perspective of the player, who has been underpaid and under-appreciated over his career, a long deal would be ideal. Some trade protection through the first half of the deal might be required, but so long as the Oilers can maintain some flexibility on the latter half it should be manageable.
Follow The Oil Rig on social media!
Your content always feels purposeful and meaningful to followers