As reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers are expected to acquire defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks.
According to Seravalli, the Oilers still have some work to do to make the deal go through. Rosters will expand after midnight tonight, meaning the deal might not take place until Friday.
The 29-year-old defenseman is having a career season, having scored six goals and 32 points in 50 games. He missed time with an injury and was even a healthy scratch at one point, but Walman is on pace for 44 points in 69 games, and could have hit 50 in a full season.
Walman was acquired by the Sharks before the 2024 NHL Draft, with the Detroit Red Wings sending him and a 2024 second-round pick in exchange for future considerations. He is an offensive defenseman, but it took a few years for him to truly find his footing.
Walman started his career by playing parts of three seasons with the St. Louis Blues. He never played full-time with the team, and was traded to Detroit in 2021-22. He developed into a mid-pack defender, but one who was willing to get aggressive and play some fearless hockey. Walman has another year left on his contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.
Prior to turning pro, Walman was a standout defenseman with the OJHL’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens. His play in the Jr. A league resulted in him getting selected 82nd overall by the Blues. He then went on to play three seasons at Providence College, where he won a national title as a rookie. He was named to various all-star teams in his final two years before turning pro just before the end of the 2016-17 AHL campaign.
Walman could make his debut with the Oilers as soon as March 8 when Edmonton hosts the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place at 8:00 PM local time.
