EDMONTON — The way things were going for the Edmonton Oilers for weeks heading toward the trade deadline, it seemed like getting a more defensive-style blueliner was the way to go.
The Oilers were, well, leaking oil around their net by surrendering 4.1 goals per game during an 3-7-1 skid from Jan. 30 to March 4. They needed to start locking things down or their once-promising season could fritter away.
But Oilers GM Stan Bowman’s philosophy has been to find players that jive with the identity of the team and, most specifically, its all-world superstars Connor McDavid and Leon MARCH 8: Jake Walman #96 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot during the second period of the game against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on March 8, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images). He believes a good defence is an electric offence where defencemen get the puck into the hands of the best forwards.
It’s why Bowman gambled by signing John Klingberg a few weeks ago despite the veteran missing nearly 15 months of action after a double hip resurfacing procedure. It’s why he went down that road again, instead of a nabbing bruising blueliner, by paying handsomely in the form of a first-round pick to acquire Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks on Friday.
Walman’s full array of smooth-skating, puck-moving skills – plus other talents – were on display in his Oilers debut, a 5-4 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
“That was a heck of a start,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “There was so much that we liked about his game.
“I think we’ll see a lot of play like he did tonight. That’s why our management thought very highly of him to trade for him, which I think is really going to pay off for us.”
Walman skated 24:40, including 21:55 at even strength — almost exclusively to Darnell Nurse’s right. He was a beast on his off side, putting forth a much-need performance with the Oilers missing stalwart Mattias Ekholm for the second straight game due to injury.
The Oilers outshot the Stars 15-4 and out-attempted them 26-11 when Walman was on the ice at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. Walman made his presence felt early by going plus-3 in the first period, a rating that held for the duration of the game.
He also recorded an assist, a beautiful one at that. The piece de resistance was launching an aerial breakout pass from his zone that caught Zach Hyman in flight at the offensive blue line. Hyman deserves full marks for corralling the puck, but Walman expertly feathered it over Ilya Lyubushkin and into Hyman’s reach.
Hyman made no mistake on the breakaway for his second goal of the game and 22nd tally of the season.
“I blew the zone and he’s able to recognize that there’s a play there,” Hyman said. “He made a great play.”
“I knew me and Hymes had some kind of connection,” Walman said. “It was a great handle by him. It was a hard puck to hit down. I was just trying to put it in an area for him.”
Walman also showed a ton of flair midway through the third period, deftly walking around Esa Lindell before cruising into the slot and blasting a shot on net.
But it wasn’t all offensive flash from Walman.
He stepped up in the neutral zone late in the second period to flatten Mikko Rantanen, the all-world talent who was also making his debut with his new team after the Stars acquired him on Friday.
Ran into a Wal, man 🙅♂️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/dNdmcrAqbl
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 9, 2025
“I like to be physical anytime somebody’s coming through the middle,” Walman said. “I think I let up a little bit.”
Perhaps most importantly, he was on the ice to defend a one-goal lead in the final minute of the third.
“It means a lot,” Walman said. “Any competitor wants to be in that position. Those are big minutes and I’m up for the challenge.”
It’s only one game, but, boy, was it a dandy performance from Walman.
“It’s what we thought we were getting,” Hyman said. “I always thought he was a really good player. He fits right in, obviously.”
Knoblauch said before the game that his role is bound to change when Ekholm returns, which is expected to happen next week at some point on the upcoming road trip.
But judging by how Walman played with Nurse, perhaps there’s a longer-term fit there even though Knoblauch said he’s in no rush to find the newest Oiler a full-time partner.
“There’s a good likelihood that those two will be playing together, but I don’t necessarily think that’s a set pair,” the coach said. “We have a lot of options, which is nice. He hasn’t played a lot on the right side. But for a guy that hasn’t play much on the right side, he looked pretty good at it.”
Walman said coming to the Oilers was like a dream. He went from being the No. 1 defenceman on the cellar-dwelling Sharks to trying to fit in on a Stanley Cup contender.
It’s a big transition, especially since the 29-year-old has all but one playoff game on his resume. He said he’s desired to play meaningful games for so long.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of a team that has a chance. I’m just trying to add as much as I can and not disrupt too much,” Walman said. “I’m really excited to add a little bit to the team.”
He added more than a little bit on Saturday. The way he played made it seem like he’s been in this position so many times before.
“Wally can do it all,” said McDavid, who played minor league hockey with Walman for the Toronto Marlies. “He’s a bigger body, skates well. He’s good with the puck. He defends well and he plays hard.
“I don’t think that he’s just a puck-moving D-man. He does it all well. He’s been asked to do everything in San Jose there. We’re going to ask much of the same, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”
Walman’s addition gives the Oilers more mobility and better puck play on the back end. The top five seems as good as it’s ever been in the McDavid-Draisaitl era.
There’s the tried-and-true top pair of Ekholm and Evan Bouchard. Even though their play has dipped in recent weeks, they’ve been one of the NHL’s best duos since Ekholm was acquired in February 2023. Nurse and Brett Kulak have made great strides this season. Nurse has played some of the best hockey of his career — including a 28-minute showing Saturday — whereas Kulak has stepped up on the right side.
And then there’s Walman, whose presence pushes NHL-calibre rearguards Klingberg, Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher down the depth chart.
His presence also solidifies the type of blue line Bowman has desired, the type of blue line that he thinks should benefit this team.
“The best defensive teams are the ones that can keep the puck out of trouble,” Knoblauch said. “So many scoring chances come from turning the puck over.
“It’s so important to be able to make plays.”
Suddenly, the Oilers have won three of their last four contests and are within four points of the Vegas Golden Knights for the Pacific Division lead — albeit with an extra game played.
They’re tightening up defensively and looking more like the Oilers of old.
You just got Max’d 💥 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/XO4DVz3FRb
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 9, 2025
“I’m not saying we’ve got our ‘A game’ back by any means,” Hyman said. “There’s a long way to go. I wouldn’t count out our group of guys we have here with the experience we have here. We’re pretty confident in this group.”
(Photo: Andy Devlin / NHLI via Getty Images)
