How Jake Walman's debut was exactly what the Oilers want and need

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.

Advertisement But Oilers GM Stan Bowmans 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.

Its 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.

Its 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.

Walmans 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 well see a lot of play like he did tonight.

Thats 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 Nurses 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.

Advertisement 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 Hymans 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 hes able to recognize that theres 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 wasnt 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 somebodys 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 Im up for the challenge.

Its only one game, but, boy, was it a dandy performance from Walman.

Its 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.

Advertisement But judging by how Walman played with Nurse, perhaps theres a longer-term fit there even though Knoblauch said hes in no rush to find the newest Oiler a full-time partner.

Theres a good likelihood that those two will be playing together, but I dont necessarily think thats a set pair, the coach said.

We have a lot of options, which is nice.

He hasnt played a lot on the right side.

But for a guy that hasnt 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.

Its a big transition, especially since the 29-year-old has all but one playoff game on his resume.

He said hes desired to play meaningful games for so long.

Ive always wanted to be part of a team that has a chance.

Im just trying to add as much as I can and not disrupt too much, Walman said.

Im 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 hes 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.

Hes a bigger body, skates well.

Hes good with the puck.

He defends well and he plays hard.

I dont think that hes just a puck-moving D-man.

He does it all well.

Hes been asked to do everything in San Jose there.

Were going to ask much of the same, and Im sure hell do a great job.

Walmans addition gives the Oilers more mobility and better puck play on the back end.

The top five seems as good as its ever been in the McDavid-Draisaitl era.

Theres the tried-and-true top pair of Ekholm and Evan Bouchard.

Even though their play has dipped in recent weeks, theyve been one of the NHLs 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.

Advertisement And then theres 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.

Its 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.

Theyre 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 Im not saying weve got our A game back by any means, Hyman said.

Theres a long way to go.

I wouldnt count out our group of guys we have here with the experience we have here.

Were pretty confident in this group.

(Photo: Andy Devlin / NHLI via Getty Images).

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