New Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman admitted he’s still adjusting to the reality of joining the Stanley Cup runner-ups after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks ahead of the trade deadline. Speaking after practice on Saturday, the defenseman described his excitement and nerves while reflecting on the opportunity to play for a contender.

Before Thursday night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, the Sharks had already traded goalie Vitek Vanecek and center Nico Sturm to the Florida Panthers in separate deals. In February, San Jose sent forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci to the Dallas Stars, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to the Avalanche in December.

Jake Walman was traded to the Edmonton Oilers by the San Jose Sharks on Friday for a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and forward prospect Carl Berglund.

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NHL trade deadline. The Edmonton Oilers beefed up their defense on Thursday with the acquisition of Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks. The Oilers sent their 2026 first-round pick — which they can move to 2027 if it is a top-12 pick — and forward Carl Berglund to the Sharks.

The Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks were both expected to be among the most active teams heading into the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. With the Oilers trying to right the wrongs from their 2024 Stanley Cup Finals loss and the Sharks rebuilding towards the future,

The Oilers are finalizing a trade with the Sharks to acquire defenseman Jake Walman before the NHL Trade Deadline.

If you compare the current Edmonton Oilers roster to what it was many years ago, you could point out a large variety of improvements all across the team.

Walman’s full array of smooth-skating, puck-moving skills — plus other talents — were on display in a 5-4 Oilers win over the Dallas Stars.