Oilers should extend new defenceman projected to have career year before season starts
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The Edmonton Oilers made an incredible trade deadline move to acquire defenceman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks, and now he's projected to shatter career highs next year.
The Oilers only traded a conditional first round draft pick and low-level prospect Carl Berglund for Walman, which already looked like a steal of a deal in last year's playoffs. Walman great two-way ability really propelled him to be the Oilers 3rd best defender.
Oilers defenceman Jake Walman projected to deliver career high offensive year
After just 15 regular season games with the Oilers, Walman scored 8 points - then added 10 points in 22 playoff games.
His ability to manage the defensive zone and hit the Oilers elite forwards with quality breakout passes has everyone expecting his numbers will only continue to rise.
Oilers analyst Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal has projected Walman to score at least 50 points next year, 18 more than his previous career high.
I will not be surprised if Jake Walman's numbers spike this upcoming season. His ability to transport, pass, to walk the line and shoot are all well-above average.
Could Walman hit ten goals and fifty points this year? I really think so. The Oilers would be well advised to extend the player's contract now and not later.
- Kurt Leavins
Could Walman hit ten goals and fifty points this year? I really think so. The Oilers would be well advised to extend the player's contract now and not later.
- Kurt Leavins
Analyst Bruce Curlock took it a step further, and projected Walman for 55 points next year. In addition, he'll be coming off his sweetheart contract of only $3.4M, and will be looking for a massive raise.
Oilers may need to create cap space to extend Jake Walman
The Oilers would be wise to extend Walman now, rather than wait for him to have a great season this year and potentially prove himself out of Edmonton.
The Oilers blue line could be taking up a huge portion of the cap, with Bouchard, Nurse, Walman, and Ekholm - and no one on a cheap deal.
The Oilers have already tried to ask Darnell Nurse to waive his no-move clause, but they may need to get more creative to make cap space for Walman.
At least for next season, Oil Country will be thrilled to have the two-way presence of Walman all year.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 7 | 679 ANSWERS Oilers should extend new defenceman projected to have career year before season starts Do you think the Oilers should extend Walman now? | ||
| Yes | 603 | 88.8 % |
| No | 76 | 11.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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