The Edmonton Oilers’ early season struggles continued over the weekend, but Monday brought a glimmer of hope as the club officially activated defenseman Jake Walman from injured reserve. As the Oilers prepare to wrap up a grueling five-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, all eyes are on how Walman’s return might spark a team that’s searching for answers after a lackluster 2-3-1 start to the 2025-26 NHL campaign.
Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the red-hot Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena marked Edmonton’s third consecutive defeat, leaving the team and its fans frustrated. Despite a spirited effort, the Oilers couldn’t overcome a Detroit squad powered by captain Dylan Larkin’s four-point outing and a breakout performance from rookie Emmitt Finnie. Finnie, just 20 years old, notched two goals and an assist, led all Red Wings forwards with 19:25 of ice time, and made his presence felt with four shots and four hits. His strong play has quickly earned the trust of head coach Todd McLellan, who’s deployed Finnie in key situations and on a line with Larkin for the majority of his shifts.
“Certainly not for a lack of effort,” Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said after the game. “I think everyone’s trying really hard, but it’s tough going right now. It’s not easy when you’re not seeing it and plays are closing down quickly, so it’s got to be better.” Draisaitl, who scored his team-high fourth goal of the season in the loss, was candid about his own performance, admitting, “It’s me who is certainly not feeling it right now. The game changes when your top guys are feeling it and seeing and creating offense. It changes the entire dynamic of the group. I have to take a look in the mirror and figure something out to be better.”
The Oilers’ offensive woes have been evident. Over their current losing streak, the team has managed just seven goals, and only nine in their last four games. Superstar captain Connor McDavid, though he’s contributed seven assists, remains without a goal, while offensive defenseman Evan Bouchard has yet to register a point. Head coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized the need for a simpler, more confident approach: “A lot of it is the way they feel, having confidence, feeling good about your game. It’s just making the little, simple plays. If you’re trying to make the home run pass every time, you’ll probably have a lot of failure and it breaks down your game and you’re not having much rhythm or flow.”
Defensively, the Oilers have also struggled to find the right mix, especially with injuries and lineup shuffles. Jake Walman’s absence since preseason was felt acutely, as his puck-moving ability and steady presence were missed on the back end. Originally acquired from San Jose at last March’s trade deadline, Walman contributed 10 points in 22 playoff games as Edmonton made its run to the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, he played 65 regular-season games between San Jose and Edmonton, recording seven goals, 33 assists, 145 blocked shots, 57 hits, and 42 penalty minutes while averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time. The Oilers recently demonstrated their faith in the 29-year-old by signing him to a seven-year contract extension worth $7 million per season, underscoring his importance to the team’s long-term plans.
Walman’s expected return to the lineup against Ottawa will likely result in either Troy Stecher or Ty Emberson coming out of the lineup, as the Oilers try to solidify their defensive corps. With Zach Hyman also nearing a return in the coming weeks, Edmonton’s roster is set for some adjustments. According to insider Frank Seravalli, this could mean that players such as Ty Emberson and forward Mattias Janmark may be made available in trades, while rookie Ike Howard might be sent down to the AHL to get more ice time and allow the team to stay under the salary cap.
The Oilers’ handling of their rookies has come under scrutiny, especially when compared to Detroit’s approach with Finnie. While Finnie has flourished with significant minutes and key responsibilities, Oilers rookies Matt Savoie and Ike Howard have seen limited deployment. Howard, for instance, is averaging just 9:46 per game over five appearances, often skating alongside bottom-six center Adam Henrique and yet to record a point. Savoie, meanwhile, is averaging 13:10 per game, ranking eighth among Edmonton forwards in ice time and earning the third-most penalty-kill minutes among the group. The consensus among observers is that for the Oilers to maximize their young talent, they need to commit to giving these players meaningful roles—perhaps even pairing Savoie with top stars like Draisaitl or McDavid, and sending Howard to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors for more development time.
Looking ahead, Edmonton faces an Ottawa Senators team that’s also been struggling defensively, having allowed 30 goals in six games—a five-goal average that continued in their recent 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders. Senators coach Travis Green lamented his team’s inability to close out games, saying, “I thought our game got too loose when we had the lead, and a lot of things we took pride in last year where we were good, we weren’t good (on Saturday). There is a certain style of play that we want. There has been a lot of talk about creating more offense, but that doesn’t mean cheating for offense. That part of our game isn’t tight right now.”
Despite their defensive lapses, the Senators have seen bright spots, most notably Shane Pinto, who became the first player in franchise history to score seven goals in the first six games of a season. Tim Stutzle also continues to impress, recently tallying a goal and an assist in the loss to the Islanders. Still, Stutzle acknowledged the team’s need for smarter play: “I think we’re doing a lot of good things, but we shoot ourselves in the foot every time. Doing small turnovers, don’t get the puck deep, and good teams and good players make you pay. That’s just not good enough there. It’s on us. We’ve got to make smarter decisions. It’s early in the year, but that can’t be an excuse.”
Meanwhile, off the ice, the Senators are navigating complicated contract negotiations with Pinto. Reports indicate the team has offered him an eight-year extension, but salary cap concerns and comparisons to other top players have made talks tricky. A bridge contract may be the only feasible solution for now, as Ottawa weighs its long-term options.
As the Oilers gear up for Tuesday’s clash in Canada’s capital, they hope that the return of Jake Walman and a fresh approach to deploying their young talent can help reverse their fortunes. The Senators, meanwhile, will be eager to snap their own skid and tighten up defensively. With both teams seeking a spark, fans can expect a spirited battle as the NHL season’s early storylines continue to unfold.
For Edmonton, the next chapter starts now—with new faces in the lineup, a star defenseman back on the ice, and a chance to finally get their season rolling in the right direction.
