After almost 11 years since being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2014, Edmonton Oilers defenceman<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/monday-mailbag-what-are-your-first-impressions-of-jake-walman-with-the-oilers"> Jake Walman</a> is finally getting his shot at playing meaningful minutes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he’s making an impact this postseason — even if it’s not necessarily grabbing headlines.

Walman played his first playoff game during the 2020–21 season with the Blues and hadn’t appeared in another postseason game until Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings in the last series. So far, he’s played eight postseason games and tallied two points (1G, 1A) while averaging 20:36 minutes a game.
That said, while his offensive stats aren’t flashy, he leads the team with a +11 plus/minus rating, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/calvin-pickard-remains-undefeated-why-jake-walman-rules-and-oilers-lock-in-sixth-straight-comeback-win">has been a steady presence on the blue line</a>, and is also an analytics stud, where he ranks among the top defencemen in the NHL in multiple analytical categories.
According to Natural Stat Trick, here’s where the Oilers’ blueliner ranks among NHL D-men who have played a minimum of 40 minutes at 5v5 during the 2025 playoffs:
<blockquote>• 2nd among all NHL D-men in Shots For Percentage at 63.04% SF 
• 3rd among all NHL D-men in Expected Goals For Percentage at 65.94% xGF 
• 5th among all NHL D-men in High Danger Chances For Percentage at 67.16% HDCF 
• 8th among all NHL D-men in Corsi For Percentage at 59.12% CF</blockquote>
While he may not be piling up the points, the underlying metrics show that the play tilts in the Oilers&#8217; favour when Walman is out on the ice. Moreover, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch mentioned during the regular season that when<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/3-oilers-who-stepped-up-during-mcdavids-absence-but-who-still-needs-to"> a player reaches five or six expected goals</a>, they’re almost guaranteed to score. Before Walman scored his first career playoff goal in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-8-0-comeback-kids-edmonton-oilers-beat-vegas-golden-knights-game-2">Game 2</a> against the Vegas Golden Knights, he had an expected goals for of 8.43, meaning he was due, and what a goal it was.
With the Oilers down by a goal in the second period, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/game-recap-highlights-oilers-beat-golden-knights-overtime-take-series-lead">Vasily Podkolzin</a> teed up the puck for the blueliner, Walman stepped into a shot, and with bodies in front of the net, he wired one past Adin Hill, tying the game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
JAKE WALMAN TIES THIS GAME 1-1 
📹: Sportsnet <a href="https://t.co/5tvf4YBwXk">pic.twitter.com/5tvf4YBwXk</a>
&mdash; Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/OilersNation/status/1920677797715910815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Additionally, Walman is one of those players whose advanced metrics definitely match the eye test. It took him a game to settle into playoff hockey — he took two penalties <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-los-angeles-kings-game-1-tactical-review">in Game 1 last round against L.A</a>., one for being a little too aggressive in front of the net, and another for delay of game after sending the puck over the glass. But since then, he’s settled in, shown poise with the puck, and made several excellent defensive plays, like breaking up a 3-on-2 in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-vs-golden-knights-game-1-information-line-combinations-starting-goaltenders-and-more">Game 1</a> against the Golden Knights with a great stick check when the Oilers were down by a goal, a play that prevented a Golden Knight from being left all alone in front.
Adding to that, he leads the team with 23 blocked shots and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to get in shooting lanes. That said, with Walman, it’s almost like the Oilers have a light 2025 version of the shot-blocking king himself, Kris Russell — except with wheels and a booming shot — a fantastic combination to have. Also, as <a href="https://x.com/OilersNation/status/1920616331482681669">Baggedmilk summarized,</a> “He’s quietly turning into one of the Oilers’ best defencemen right before our eyes.”
Another thing that stands out to me about the 29-year-old is how well he meshes with the big line when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are out there — he reads off them perfectly, plays fetch with them seamlessly, and helps keep the pressure alive in the offensive zone.
For example, one under-the-radar play he doesn’t get much credit for came in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-stun-los-angeles-kings-evan-bouchard-two-goals-cryto-arena-game-5">Game 4 against Los Angeles</a>, when the Oilers were down 3–2 with under a minute left. The puck bounced out to the left side, and had Walman not read the play early and made the decision to pinch, Quinton Byfield might’ve had a step on him and the puck could’ve been cleared out of the zone.
<figure id="attachment_174731" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-174731" style="width: 962px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-174731" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jake-Walman.png" alt="" width="962" height="486" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jake-Walman.png 962w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jake-Walman-300x152.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jake-Walman-768x388.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 962px) 100vw, 962px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-174731" class="wp-caption-text">Photo Source: Sportsnet</figcaption></figure>
But thanks to Walman’s anticipation and effortless stride, he got to the puck with ease and made a subtle pass to McDavid, who then set up <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-even-series-overtime-win-kings-game-4">Evan Bouchard</a>. A couple of quick passes later, Bouchard ripped home the one-timer to tie the game. It was a massive goal and it doesn’t happen without Walman reading the play and making that subtle but crucial pass to McDavid.
<h2>McDavid and Draisaitl’s Advanced Metrics Improve When Paired with Walman</h2>
What’s more, it’s clear the coaching staff likes pairing him with McDavid and Draisaitl — those are the two forwards he’s played with most at even strength. Walman complements their game well, and the Oilers’ forwards actually see their advanced metrics improve when he’s on the ice with them.
Here are some interesting stats when Walman is on the ice with McDavid and Draisaitl at even strength during the playoffs:
In 60:31 minutes of even strength play with McDavid in the playoffs:
<blockquote>• Without Walman, McDavid has a 56.78% xGF. With Walman, his xGF increases to 69.09%. 
• McDavid’s SCF% without Walman on the ice is 59.43%, but with Walman, that jumps to 66.67%. 
• McDavid also holds a 18-9 advantage in high-danger scoring chances when Walman is on the ice with him at even strength.</blockquote>
In 62:43 minutes of seven strength play with Draisaitl in the playoffs:
<ul>
<li>Without Walman, Draisaitl’s xGF stands at 54.48%. With Walman, that jumps to 69.41%.</li>
<li>Draisaitl’s SCF% without Walman on the ice is 60.92%, but with Walman, it improves significantly to 70.77%.</li>
<li>Draisaitl also holds a 20-8 edge in high-danger scoring chances when Walman is on the ice with him at even strength.</li>
</ul>
All things considered, Walman is quietly making a big impact this postseason. The Oilers acquired him at the trade deadline for <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-announce-sharks-jake-walman-first-round-pick-carl-berglund">a first-round draft pick and Carl Berglund</a>, and at this point, it’s starting to look like a steal, especially with him signed for another season after this one.
Admittedly, I didn’t know much about Walman’s game before the Oilers acquired him. What I did know is that <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/getting-to-know-jake-walman-the-newest-defenceman-on-the-oilers">he can pull off an epic griddy dance</a> after scoring big goals, showing he’s got a playful side to him. But so far this postseason, it’s been all business. What’s also impressive, is how quickly he’s adapted — just two months into his time with the team, he’s already in sync with the Oilers’ top players, and that chemistry is likely to grow stronger as the Oilers go deeper into the playoffs.
<hr />
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After almost 11 years since being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2014, Edmonton Oilers defenceman<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/monday-mailbag-what-are-your-first-impressions-of-jake-walman-with-the-oilers"> Jake Walman</a> is finally getting his shot at playing meaningful minutes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he’s making an impact this postseason — even if it’s not necessarily grabbing headlines.



Walman played his first playoff game during the 2020–21 season with the Blues and hadn’t appeared in another postseason game until Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings in the last series. So far, he’s played eight postseason games and tallied two points (1G, 1A) while averaging 20:36 minutes a game.

That said, while his offensive stats aren’t flashy, he leads the team with a +11 plus/minus rating, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/calvin-pickard-remains-undefeated-why-jake-walman-rules-and-oilers-lock-in-sixth-straight-comeback-win">has been a steady presence on the blue line</a>, and is also an analytics stud, where he ranks among the top defencemen in the NHL in multiple analytical categories.

According to Natural Stat Trick, here’s where the Oilers’ blueliner ranks among NHL D-men who have played a minimum of 40 minutes at 5v5 during the 2025 playoffs:
<blockquote>• 2nd among all NHL D-men in Shots For Percentage at 63.04% SF
• 3rd among all NHL D-men in Expected Goals For Percentage at 65.94% xGF
• 5th among all NHL D-men in High Danger Chances For Percentage at 67.16% HDCF
• 8th among all NHL D-men in Corsi For Percentage at 59.12% CF</blockquote>
While he may not be piling up the points, the underlying metrics show that the play tilts in the Oilers' favour when Walman is out on the ice. Moreover, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch mentioned during the regular season that when<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/3-oilers-who-stepped-up-during-mcdavids-absence-but-who-still-needs-to"> a player reaches five or six expected goals</a>, they’re almost guaranteed to score. Before Walman scored his first career playoff goal in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-8-0-comeback-kids-edmonton-oilers-beat-vegas-golden-knights-game-2">Game 2</a> against the Vegas Golden Knights, he had an expected goals for of 8.43, meaning he was due, and what a goal it was.

With the Oilers down by a goal in the second period, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/game-recap-highlights-oilers-beat-golden-knights-overtime-take-series-lead">Vasily Podkolzin</a> teed up the puck for the blueliner, Walman stepped into a shot, and with bodies in front of the net, he wired one past Adin Hill, tying the game.

https://twitter.com/OilersNation/status/1920677797715910815

Additionally, Walman is one of those players whose advanced metrics definitely match the eye test. It took him a game to settle into playoff hockey — he took two penalties <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-los-angeles-kings-game-1-tactical-review">in Game 1 last round against L.A</a>., one for being a little too aggressive in front of the net, and another for delay of game after sending the puck over the glass. But since then, he’s settled in, shown poise with the puck, and made several excellent defensive plays, like breaking up a 3-on-2 in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-vs-golden-knights-game-1-information-line-combinations-starting-goaltenders-and-more">Game 1</a> against the Golden Knights with a great stick check when the Oilers were down by a goal, a play that prevented a Golden Knight from being left all alone in front.

Adding to that, he leads the team with 23 blocked shots and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to get in shooting lanes. That said, with Walman, it’s almost like the Oilers have a light 2025 version of the shot-blocking king himself, Kris Russell — except with wheels and a booming shot — a fantastic combination to have. Also, as <a href="https://x.com/OilersNation/status/1920616331482681669">Baggedmilk summarized,</a> “He’s quietly turning into one of the Oilers’ best defencemen right before our eyes.”

Another thing that stands out to me about the 29-year-old is how well he meshes with the big line when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are out there — he reads off them perfectly, plays fetch with them seamlessly, and helps keep the pressure alive in the offensive zone.

For example, one under-the-radar play he doesn’t get much credit for came in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-stun-los-angeles-kings-evan-bouchard-two-goals-cryto-arena-game-5">Game 4 against Los Angeles</a>, when the Oilers were down 3–2 with under a minute left. The puck bounced out to the left side, and had Walman not read the play early and made the decision to pinch, Quinton Byfield might’ve had a step on him and the puck could’ve been cleared out of the zone.

[caption id="attachment_174731" align="alignnone" width="962"]<img class="size-full wp-image-174731" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jake-Walman.png" alt="" width="962" height="486" /> Photo Source: Sportsnet[/caption]

But thanks to Walman’s anticipation and effortless stride, he got to the puck with ease and made a subtle pass to McDavid, who then set up <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-even-series-overtime-win-kings-game-4">Evan Bouchard</a>. A couple of quick passes later, Bouchard ripped home the one-timer to tie the game. It was a massive goal and it doesn’t happen without Walman reading the play and making that subtle but crucial pass to McDavid.
<h2>McDavid and Draisaitl’s Advanced Metrics Improve When Paired with Walman</h2>
What’s more, it’s clear the coaching staff likes pairing him with McDavid and Draisaitl — those are the two forwards he’s played with most at even strength. Walman complements their game well, and the Oilers’ forwards actually see their advanced metrics improve when he’s on the ice with them.

Here are some interesting stats when Walman is on the ice with McDavid and Draisaitl at even strength during the playoffs:

In 60:31 minutes of even strength play with McDavid in the playoffs:
<blockquote>• Without Walman, McDavid has a 56.78% xGF. With Walman, his xGF increases to 69.09%.
• McDavid’s SCF% without Walman on the ice is 59.43%, but with Walman, that jumps to 66.67%.
• McDavid also holds a 18-9 advantage in high-danger scoring chances when Walman is on the ice with him at even strength.</blockquote>
In 62:43 minutes of seven strength play with Draisaitl in the playoffs:
<ul>
 	<li>Without Walman, Draisaitl’s xGF stands at 54.48%. With Walman, that jumps to 69.41%.</li>
 	<li>Draisaitl’s SCF% without Walman on the ice is 60.92%, but with Walman, it improves significantly to 70.77%.</li>
 	<li>Draisaitl also holds a 20-8 edge in high-danger scoring chances when Walman is on the ice with him at even strength.</li>
</ul>
All things considered, Walman is quietly making a big impact this postseason. The Oilers acquired him at the trade deadline for <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-announce-sharks-jake-walman-first-round-pick-carl-berglund">a first-round draft pick and Carl Berglund</a>, and at this point, it’s starting to look like a steal, especially with him signed for another season after this one.

Admittedly, I didn’t know much about Walman’s game before the Oilers acquired him. What I did know is that <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/getting-to-know-jake-walman-the-newest-defenceman-on-the-oilers">he can pull off an epic griddy dance</a> after scoring big goals, showing he’s got a playful side to him. But so far this postseason, it’s been all business. What’s also impressive, is how quickly he’s adapted — just two months into his time with the team, he’s already in sync with the Oilers’ top players, and that chemistry is likely to grow stronger as the Oilers go deeper into the playoffs.

<hr />

<h2>Presented by <a href="http://GarageSuperstore.ca">Garage Superstore</a></h2>
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