Red Wings fans left flabbergasted after trade of former player at NHL deadline
When you're an NHL GM you're adding players like infinity stones, and GM Steve Yzerman failed to add Jake Walman, instead leaving him to be swooped in and picked up by the Edmonton Oilers.
Jake Walman has shown himself to be a solid blue liner in the NHL. While he may not produce like Erik Karlsson in his prime, he has plenty of abilities that can affect a team's game positively.
He can play a bruising game, as we saw him lay out the Dallas Stars' newest arrival Mikko Rantanen last night.
Walman can also add offense, which is helpful as blue lines can bolster a team's offensive stats on the rush.
The Detroit Red Wings will see none of that again, as GM Steve Yzerman whiffed on a chance to pick him up from the rebuilding San Jose Sharks organization.
The cost? Well the Edmonton Oilers did pay the going rate for defenseman nowadays, which for Walman was a 1st-round pick and a prospect, Carl Berglund.
This is another fumble by GM Steve Yzerman of a player who could be one to repair the Red Wings' busted defensive corp.
Instead, he let Walman, a fan favorite go to an NHL contender, and possibly his new long-term home should things work out as planned.
Yzerman once again instead of playing the deadline with ambition has decided to play it safe.
That's not a winning strategy, given how we've seen teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers operate.
It's not always advisable to unload the entire cache, but when it comes to quality talent, you make it happen.
Jake Walman now plays for the Edmonton Oilers, who are considered Stanley Cup contenders.
He makes $3.4 million AAV and his contract will expire in 2026 should GM Stan Bowman fail to extend him.
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