The Edmonton Oilers have made a significant addition to their defense by acquiring Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks in a strategic trade just ahead of the NHL trade deadline. In exchange, the Sharks receive AHL forward Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round draft pick for 2026 from the Oilers, which is top-12 protected. If the pick lands within the top 12, the Oilers can opt to transfer their 2027 first-round selection instead. This trade represents an effective move by Sharks GM Mike Grier, turning Walman into a first-round pick after initially acquiring him for future considerations.

Walman, who is having a career-best season with 6 goals and 26 assists while averaging over 23 minutes of ice time per game, is signed through the 2025-26 season with a manageable cap hit of $3.4 million. He joins an Oilers team that recently bolstered its roster by adding center Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins, aiming for a second consecutive playoff run and a chance at the Stanley Cup.