If the Edmonton Oilers were concerned they hadn’t addressed their biggest need at the trade deadline, Jake Walman quickly put those worries to rest.
In his debut since being acquired from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round draft pick and forward prospect Carl Berglund, Walman made an immediate impact during Edmonton’s 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. He not only contributed on the stat sheet, but also made his presence known physically.
In the second period, Walman delivered a massive open-ice hit on Stars forward Mikko Rantanen, sending a clear message to the team despite just arriving in Edmonton. It was the type of hit Oilers fans hadn’t seen since Evander Kane’s first shoulder surgery.
Earlier in the game, Walman demonstrated his playmaking ability by sending a perfect saucer pass to Zach Hyman, who smoothly controlled the puck on a breakaway to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead.
Although the Stars mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap from a 5-1 deficit to just a one-goal difference by the end, the Oilers managed to hold off the attack. This win marked the second consecutive victory for Edmonton, even without their top defenseman, Mattias Ekholm, who missed the first two games of the season due to a minor injury.
In just one game, Walman proved he was a valuable addition to the Oilers. Now, the team is hopeful that his strong debut will be just the beginning of him justifying their decision to bring him in at the trade deadline.
