Edmonton Oilers Shake Up Roster with Jake Walman Trade from Sharks— Can He Save Their Season?

The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up, and it couldn’t come at a better time. With just one win in their last six games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the reigning Western Conference champs are clearly looking for a spark — and they’re hoping Jake Walman is the answer.


In a bid to strengthen their blue line, the Oilers have traded for defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks. The deal, announced Thursday, sends forward Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round pick in 2026 to San Jose.

But here’s the twist: that 2026 first-round pick comes with some interesting conditions. If the pick falls within the top 12, the Oilers have the option to push it to 2027 instead. However, if Edmonton trades their 2027 first-round pick before the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the 2026 pick automatically goes to the Sharks without any conditions. Complicated? A bit — but that’s just how high-stakes trades roll.

Jake Walman, a 29-year-old Toronto native, is in the middle of a solid season despite San Jose’s struggles. He’s put up 6 goals and 26 assists in 50 games for the last-place Sharks. This is his first season in California after spending three years each with the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings.

Across his NHL career — spanning 252 games — Walman has notched 31 goals and 52 assists. He’s under contract through next season with a $3.4 million AAV, a deal originally inked with Detroit before being traded to San Jose at last year’s NHL Draft for a second-round pick.

For the Oilers, this move signals a clear intent: they’re doubling down on reinforcing their roster as they gear up for a playoff push. Walman brings defensive depth and some offensive upside — something Edmonton desperately needs given their recent struggles.

This trade also follows their recent acquisition of forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones from the Boston Bruins, proving the Oilers are serious about addressing both their offensive and defensive gaps.
With the clock ticking toward the trade deadline, all eyes are on Edmonton. Will these moves be enough to reignite their season and push them back into top form? Only time will tell — but Jake Walman is officially part of the plan.
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