“Like a dream”: Jake Walman admits being starstruck by team captain Connor McDavid after joining Edmonton Oilers

Jake Walman expressed a combination of excitement and nervousness upon being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. After recording a career-high 32 points in 50 games last season, the defenseman spoke with the media following Saturday's practice regarding his eagerness for the change. Walman admitted that it was difficult to adjust to a new team but is looking forward to helping Edmonton achieve success. He is eager to play with his new teammates and contribute on offense and defense.


Jake Walman expressed a combination of excitement and nervousness after being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Off a career-best season with 32 points in 50 games, the defenseman spoke to the media following Saturday's practice regarding his excitement for the change.
With a year remaining on his $10.2 million contract, Walman recognized the difficulty of adapting to a new team but is excited to help Edmonton succeed. He's excited to play with his new teammates and make an impact on offense and defense. While the change is uncertain, he sees it as an exciting new challenge.
"Working on a little bit of excitement and nerve," Walman said. "So be ready to go. It's exciting time.” Walman described the experience as a dream, feeling compelled to "pinch himself," and was pleased to see familiar faces, including Edmonton captain Connor McDavid.
"I mean, it's, I guess you can compare it to like a dream," Walman said. "Kind of you walk in, you seen things for the first time. Yeah, I got to pinch myself a little bit. It's cool for me being back seeing Connor. Know a bunch of guys familiar, bunch of guys on the team, and bunch of new faces. So I'm excited to get going. And, yeah, just really excited.”

Edmonton Oilers strengthened their blue line in the offseason after picking up defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks on Friday. In return, the Sharks got a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, along with young forward prospect Carl Berglund. The draft selection has conditions—the Edmonton 2026 pick within the top 12, its 2027 first-rounder can be sent instead. But if the Oilers make that 2027 choice prior to the 2026 NHL trading deadline, then the initial 2026 choice will instead go to the Sharks.
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Walman, who was once a third-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL Draft, has constructed a respectable NHL career. In 252 regular-season games, he has donned St. Louis, the Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose gear, both contributing offensively and on defense. Even with all the time he has spent in the league, his playoff experience only consists of a single Stanley Cup playoff game. Now, he is excited to take his skills to Edmonton, hoping to make a difference as the team moves towards playoff contention.