Do the Oilers need to pay to move Jake Walman?

Do the Oilers need to pull a Detroit and sweeten the pot to move Jake Walman?

Jake Walman was the seventh defenceman at practice ahead of tonight’s game against Vancouver, which makes another scratch look possible. The final lineup will confirm it. He was scratched twice last week, then returned against New Jersey and Anaheim—but played just 11:46 and 12:18 in those games.

The numbers have been rough. Through 11 games this season, Walman has no goals, one assist, a minus-8 rating and an average of 14:15 per game. Last season, he had eight goals and 12 assists in 53 games, with a minus-17. That’s a concerning start, though a short sample and plus-minus alone don’t explain everything about his play.

There’s a reason Edmonton wanted him. In 2024–25, Walman scored 40 points in 65 games between San Jose and Edmonton. After joining the Oilers, he put up eight points in 15 regular-season games and 10 points in 22 playoff games. He can skate, move the puck and contribute offensively. That version of Walman helped Edmonton through a deep playoff run.

The Detroit comparison is hard to ignore. In June 2024, the Red Wings sent Walman and a second-round pick to San Jose for future considerations. Detroit needed to clear salary, and Steve Yzerman said the second-rounder was the price of moving money. Walman had just posted 21 points in 63 games and had a $3.4-million cap hit with two years left.

Could Edmonton have to do something similar? Maybe—but the Oilers’ situation is much tougher. Walman’s $7-million contract has seven years, including this one, and a full no-movement clause through June 2030. He would have to approve any trade. A second-round pick might not be enough to convince another team to take on that term. Edmonton could also have to consider retaining salary or taking a contract back.

My answer: not yet. A possible scratch is a serious warning, but it’s too early to spend a valuable pick just to escape the contract. Edmonton should first see whether Walman can regain a defined role and earn more consistent minutes. If the coaching staff still can’t trust him after a sustained opportunity, then it’s fair to ask what cap relief and roster flexibility are worth—and what price the market demands.

There are no confirmed Walman suitors. Philadelphia has been reported as looking for defensive help, while Nashville and Anaheim have also appeared in broader discussion about teams checking the defenceman market. Anaheim after having to dish out significant money for contracts this past off-season, I'd assume the Walman contract would be a tough pill to swallow. Those are speculative fits, not reports of interest in Walman. Any team would need to want a left-shot puck mover badly enough to work around his cap hit and trade protection.

Elsewhere at practice, Zach Hyman and Devon Levi were full participants, while Colton Dach wasn’t on the ice. That’s encouraging for Hyman and Levi. Dach’s absence needs an explanation before it’s described as an injury.

Would you spend a second-round pick—or more—to move Walman, or give him a longer chance to earn back a regular spot?