When the San Jose Sharks traded Jake Walman to the Edmonton Oilers, it came as a surprise to many.
Walman had been operating as the No. 1 defenseman. The Sharks benefited from a trade that saw them gain a second-round pick, along with Walman, while giving future considerations back to the Detroit Red Wings. Walman is also signed through the end of the 2025-26 season.
The Sharks traded Walman and received Carl Berglund and a 2026 first-round pick from the Oilers.
“To be honest, I didn’t really expect it at all, but [I’m] fortunate to be a part of this team,” Walman said when he returned to San Jose in April. “It’s a team that’s had a chance over the last couple years. [I’m] excited to be a part of it and happy that they came and got me and saw something in me.”
Walman’s calm demeanor on the ice has allowed him not to let the moment get too big. Before this season, Walman had played one Stanley Cup Playoff game. It was with the St. Louis Blues during the bubble in 2021.
“I feel like I’ve played some hockey games pretty much, but everyone is going through stuff,” Walman told NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest. “Being here though, it’s been great. I feel like this is where I’m meant to be with this group of guys. They’ve welcomed me in right away and I feel like I’m ready for this moment. These are the games you want to be in and the reason you play hockey.”
Walman’s play earning him big moments with the Oilers
The former San Jose Sharks defenseman has a rocket of a shot. In both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Walman’s blast from the point created a rebound that directly led to an Edmonton Oilers’ goal.
In 18 games so far this playoffs, Walman has one goal and seven assists. He’s not going to run the first power-play unit in Edmonton, but he’s been on the ice when the Oilers have an empty net.
His +11 ranks tied for first among all Oilers defensemen. Evan Bouchard is also +11.
Paired with longtime NHL defenseman John Klingberg on the “third-pair”, Walman is averaging 20:19 ice time per game. Oilers superstar Connor McDavid played a year of minor hockey with the former Sharks defenseman. He knows Walman can handle the pressure.
“He’s a guy who I played minor hockey with for a year, so definitely I knew a lot about him,” McDavid told Van Diest. “He’s fit in really well, a guy who blocks shots, plays physical, plays with a good edge, moves the puck, skates well. He checks a lot of boxes. He’s played really well for us so far.”
The former Sharks defenseman showed an elite ability to block shots while in San Jose. That trend continued with the Edmonton Oilers, as he leads all defensemen in the playoffs with 49 blocks.
Edmonton acquired a rock-solid defenseman in Jake Walman, and the San Jose Sharks gained additional assets to build their team with. Looking back at the trade, it seems like both teams came out ahead.
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