Oilers Fans Need to Have Faith in Jake Walman – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers seem to have built a core that they believe can take them far in the near future. Among the boys who hoped to be a part of that is Jake Walman. He came in hot as an Oiler, then had a rough 2025-26 season, both of which we’ll get into. The bottom line for fans to focus on: you need to have faith in Wallman.

He joined the team on a deadline deal in early March 2025 from the San Jose Sharks. After a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, he was signed to a seven-year extension that begins at the start of the 2026-27 season. There have been mixed reviews about the deal, especially now with the way the club’s 2026 games ended. Here are a few things to consider about Walman that you may have forgotten and will help fans believe in him as Edmonton’s top four defenseman going forward.

Elite Playoff Player

Walman has been the hero for the Oilers through five rounds of the playoffs. In 2025, he recorded 10 points in 22 contests, including a big goal in Game 4 of the Cup Final. He also blocked a team-high 66 shots and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game. His balanced game gave the Oilers a big boost at a crunch time and was ultimately a major factor in his expansion.

JAKE WALMAN FOOTBALL GIVE THE OILERS THE LEAD. 😱

THE PANTHER CROWD IS MOM. 😰

(🎥: @NHL)pic.twitter.com/1l1rkPNvBG

— theScore (@theScore) June 13, 2025

The 2026 Playoffs were nothing like last season for Walman. He got off to a hot start, with an impressive Game 1 that saw him serve as the team’s top defenseman at both ends of the ice. However, as he saw more ice time over the next five games, he seemed to struggle; increased numbers, offensive production and defensive intensity decreased. He wasn’t his usual playful self.

It’s been a rough end of the season for everyone on the Oilers, so we can’t look too hard on any one guy. Aside from a couple of poor games against the Anaheim Ducks, Wallman has been a team player and should be expected to bounce back next season.

Injuries Hold Walman Back in 2025-26

The up-and-down season should have been at least partially affected by Walman’s inconsistency in the Oilers’ lineup during the regular season. He appeared in only 53 games, missing three different times due to injury. He often has good chemistry with the defensive core, especially playing well with Ty Emberson on the floor. The 29-game deficit, however, will not help the duo improve and help the coaches work with a consistent schedule.

Obviously, the injury is not Walman’s fault; It’s just unfortunate because it hurt his season in different ways. If he can stay healthy for 2026-27, the results will definitely be there, and he could have a great season.

A New Contract Begins And You Know It

As mentioned, Walman’s new seven-year deal begins this fall. I don’t believe he’s the type of player who should be paid to sit back, though. He is a player who has been in the league for a long time and understands that more money equals more responsibility. The Oilers paid him and showed confidence in him as a top player, so it’s time for him to step things up and make it through a key season for the franchise.

Barring injury, this should be a much improved season for Walman. His offensive game has been quietly good, and if he can tighten up his defense a bit, he’ll be seeing more minutes under the new coach. He’s going to be important to Edmonton for a while, so the belief from everyone on the team has to be there.