The Edmonton Oilers finally received a much-needed injection of optimism on Monday, October 20, 2025, as the team officially activated defenceman Jake Walman from injured reserve. After a rocky start to the season and a string of disappointing losses, the Oilers are banking on Walman’s return to spark a turnaround as they prepare for their final road trip clash against the Ottawa Senators.
Walman’s absence has been felt acutely in Edmonton’s defensive corps. The 29-year-old, acquired from the San Jose Sharks at the 2025 Trade Deadline in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and forward prospect Carl Berglund, initially impressed with his steady play and offensive upside. Last season, he suited up for 15 regular-season games with the Oilers, tallying a goal and seven assists for eight points—numbers that helped him notch a career-high 40 points across 65 games split between Edmonton and San Jose. In the playoffs, Walman’s impact was even more pronounced: he contributed two goals and eight assists for 10 points over 22 games, while boasting a plus/minus of +9 and averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. No wonder his return has been so highly anticipated!
The journey back to the ice hasn’t been smooth for Walman. He suffered an undisclosed injury during Edmonton’s first preseason game against the Calgary Flames on September 21, 2025. At first, head coach Kris Knoblauch expressed hope that Walman would be ready for the regular season opener on October 8, but a setback in his recovery forced the Oilers to place him on injured reserve the very next day. The timeline for his return kept shifting, and as the games ticked by, the Oilers’ defensive struggles became increasingly apparent.
The Oilers’ record currently stands at a disappointing 2-3-1, with the team dropping their last three games—including a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Their offense has sputtered as well, registering just 1.6 goals-for per 60 minutes, which ranks as the fourth-worst in the NHL. The blue line, in particular, has been under intense scrutiny. Darnell Nurse, usually a stalwart, has rotated through partners including Troy Stecher, Alec Regula, and Brett Kulak, but none of these pairings have managed to be on the ice for an even-strength goal so far this season. That’s a stat that would make any Oilers fan wince.
Enter Jake Walman. The Oilers’ brass and coaching staff are counting on him to stabilize the defense and provide the puck-moving presence that was so vital during last season’s deep playoff run. According to team sources, Walman is expected to slot back into his familiar spot alongside Nurse, a duo that outscored opponents 8-2 at even strength during the closing stretch of the 2024-25 campaign. With Walman back in the mix, either Stecher or Ty Emberson is likely to come out of the lineup to make room for the returning blueliner.
Walman’s return is also significant from a financial perspective. Just before the season began, the Oilers inked him to a seven-year contract extension worth $49 million ($7 million per season), a testament to their belief in his long-term value. The deal, which kicks in next year, represents a considerable pay raise from his previous contract—a three-year pact signed with Detroit that carried a $3.4 million cap hit. For Walman, who has never signed a deal longer than three years prior to this, the extension provides both security and a clear mandate: deliver top-four defenseman value for a team with championship aspirations.
Coach Knoblauch didn’t mince words when discussing the importance of Walman’s return. "We’ve missed Jake’s ability to move the puck and transition out of our zone quickly. He brings a calm presence and can contribute offensively, which is something we’ve been lacking early on," Knoblauch said in a media availability. The hope is that Walman’s presence will not only help the Oilers tighten up defensively, but also kickstart their transition game and, by extension, their struggling offense.
Looking back, Walman’s path to Edmonton has been a winding one. After stints with the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings, he was dealt to the San Jose Sharks in February 2023, where he averaged 23 minutes of ice time over 50 games before being shipped to the Oilers at the deadline. Since 2023, he’s averaged 12 goals and 34 points per 82 games, making him a reliable contributor from the back end. His performance in the playoffs last season—where he averaged over 21 minutes per game for Edmonton—cemented his status as a core piece for the Oilers moving forward.
Despite the Oilers’ recent struggles, there’s still optimism within the locker room. The team currently sits outside a playoff spot and trails the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights by five points, but with a full-strength blue line, there’s a sense that the tide could soon turn. Walman’s timely return, coupled with the offensive firepower of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, gives Edmonton a fighting chance to claw back into the playoff race. As one Oilers insider put it, "With Jake back, we’re a deeper, more balanced team. If he can play at the level he showed last spring, we can close the gap in the division."
The Oilers’ immediate focus is on Tuesday’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators—the final game of their five-game Eastern Conference road swing. After that, they’ll return home to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, hoping that a healthy and rejuvenated blue line will help them snap their losing streak and regain some early-season momentum. Walman’s debut is expected to provide a much-needed spark, both on the ice and in the dressing room.
As the puck drops in Ottawa, all eyes will be on Jake Walman to see if he can help right the ship for Edmonton. With his combination of skating, offensive instincts, and defensive reliability, the Oilers are betting big on their newly extended blueliner. The season is still young, and with Walman back in action, Edmonton’s fortunes could be set for a dramatic shift.
For now, the Oilers’ faithful can breathe a sigh of relief—their defensive anchor is back, and the journey to reclaim their place among the league’s elite resumes in earnest.
