The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks, according to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, later confirmed by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
This one is moving along: the Pride of Armour Heights to Edmonton https://t.co/3e2GruoHrd
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025
While the return is not yet known, Pagnotta reported a first round pick is heading to San Jose as part of the deal. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug later added the following:
Sounds like it’ll be a conditional pick and a prospect for Walman once it gets finalized. Also looking like Oilers may be taking the full cap hit confirming the sense we had earlier today that they’d most likely be using the Kane money. Could be a bit before all is sorted.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) March 7, 2025
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, reported Thursday night the deal likely wouldn’t be completed until Friday, due to the Oilers having roster constraint issues head of Thursday’s game against Montreal.
Walman, 29, is a left-shot who has drawn in for 50 games this year with the Sharks, scoring six goals and 32 points, and is in the second-year of a three-year deal paying him $3.4-million per year.
For the Oilers, they pick up a significant upgrade to their blue line, getting a defenceman who fits into the age range of their core amid a breakout season. Walman had a strong 2023-24 season with the Detroit Red wings, scoring 12 goals and 21 points in 63 games, but was sent to San Jose alongside a second-round pick in a shocking move last summer, in which the Red Wings got back nothing but future considerations.
At the time of the deal, word around the league was general shock as other organizations felt comfortable giving up legitimate assets for Walman.
Nonetheless, Walman has made the most of his time in San Jose so far as a strong play driver offensively and defensively. With him on the ice at five-on-five, the Sharks have controlled play relative to the rest of the team at strong rates, similarly to the case with Ty Emberson last year.
When Walman’s on the ice, the Sharks control the shot attempt share at a 4.52 percent rate higher than team average, the expected goal share at a 3.92 percent rate higher than team average, and the actual goal share at a 10.63 percent rate higher than team average.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Walman was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft. He’s appeared in 252 NHL games over six years, scoring 31 goals and 83 points.
More to come…
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
