Oilers Insider Has Bold Prediction for Jake Walman Extension

The Edmonton Oilers lineup will look a little different this season. Evander Kane, Corey Perry, and Viktor Arvidsson are out, while the likes of Isaac Howard, Matt Savoie, and Andrew Mangiapane are in. Trent Frederic is in for a full season (and seven more!).

One of the other strong additions made last season, defenseman Jake Walman, will also be around for a full campaign, and, according to Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, on his Oilers Now podcast, maybe another... eight more?

There's a chance that Stan Bowman ends up signing Jake Walman to an eight-year deal. That could end up happening.

(This) is something that the Oilers can do that nobody else can do... we have shorter terms coming to the next CBA, which takes place next summer.

Stauffer is alluding to the fact that as of the 2026-27, teams are limited to re-signing their own players to a maximum seven-year contract (as opposed to the current eight), while UFAs can only sign maximum six-year deals with a new team.

Walman is eligible for an extension, as he's set to enter the final season of his three-year, $3.4 million cap hit.

As relayed by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, Bowman told Stauffer, when asked about a potential extension for Walman, “When you identify players that you like, that you think there’s a future for, and they can help your team, not only in the coming year, but in the years beyond that, then I think it makes sense to try to get something done. So that’s going to be something that we do over the next month, month and a half leading into training camp.”

Walman, 29, had an excellent debut with Edmonton in 37 games, 15 in the regular season and another 22 in the playoffs. He was a solid two-way presence on the blueline, averaging over 20 minutes a night and contributing 10 points in those 22 playoff games with 66 blocked shots, and a plus/minus rating of +9.

The 6'1" left-shot defender who can play both sides, if he were to hit the open market next summer, could be in line for a $7.5M-$8M AAV payday based on recent comps (e.g. Brandon Montour, 7x$7.1M).

If the Oilers can offer him long-term security, however, and lock him in now, the number could be a fair amount less. AFP Analytics is currently projecting a $6.5M annual salary for Walman on an extension with term.

As for the eight-year speculation, Walman will be turning 30 this coming season, so it seems like a bit of a stretch, but as Staples points out, "I bet (Stauffer's) not mentioning it if he hasn’t heard it from a reliable Oilers source."