Oilers reportedly working on long term contract with key defenceman

According to Sportsnet's Mark Spector, Jake Walman's agent was in Edmonton late last week to speak with the Oilers about a contract extension. Jake is one agent Wade Arnott's higher-profile candidates, with an AAV of $3.4M in 2025-26.

According to Evolving Hockey, the most likely contract Walman could sign with the Oilers is a 6-year deal at a cap hit of $6.2M, almost doubling his his current salary, though a big raise is well-deserved by the hard-working 29-year old D-man.

Walman quickly became an important part of the Oilers' defense, playing on both the left and right-side, where he averaged significant ice time in both the regular season and playoffs.

He was particularly effective in the playoffs, however, stepping-up his offensive production, including a go-ahead goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the rival Panthers.

In 22 playoff games last year, Jake recorded 10 points, was a plus-9, and skated for 20:10 TOI, playing big minutes in important defensive assignments.

Jake Walman was acquired by the Oilers at the 2025 NHL trade deadline from the San Jose Sharks and has since become a staple on the blueline.

Most reports have Jake paired with Darnel Nurse on the 2D next season, given the former's ability to play the right-side, a role that allows head coach Kris Knoblauch to balance his defense pairings.

It was recently believed that the Oilers and Walman would agree to an extension once Connor McDavid had secured his; but with all the uncertainty surrounding the Captain's contract, Walman's might actually be completed first.