Walman Remains Out For Oilers, With Surprising Roster Moves Expected

Edmonton Oilers fans received a mixed bag of news as the team prepares for their regular season opener against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. While a team illness appears to have run its course, key defenseman Jake Walman is now doubtful for the opening night lineup due to an injury setback. Adding to the intrigue, several unexpected roster moves are anticipated as the Oilers navigate the complexities of the salary cap and aim to finalize their 23-man roster by Monday's deadline.

Walman's absence throws a wrench into the Oilers' defensive plans. The defender, who had been recovering from an upper-body injury, was not on the ice for Sunday's practice. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Walman is now a "question mark" for Wednesday's game and indicated that the team is hoping he will be ready for Saturday's game.

The Oilers are also dealing with an injury to Mattias Janmark, who is expected to miss one to two weeks. According to Knoblauch, an MRI revealed Janmark has two injuries, but the coach spun that as positive news, as it meant Janmark wasn't dealing with one nagging injury.

In light of these injuries, the Oilers are making several roster adjustments. Veteran winger Max Jones has been placed on waivers with the intention of assigning him to the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL). Jones, who was acquired by the Oilers at the 2025 trade deadline, has been dealing with an injury since early in training camp. In 19 games with the Oilers last season, Jones recorded one goal and one assist.

These moves are likely in response to the Oilers needing to trim their roster to adhere to the 23-man limit and comply with the $95.5 million salary cap for the 2025-26 season. The Oilers also need to account for Zach Hyman's status, as he is expected to be placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

Adding to the intrigue, there's a possibility that several younger, less-proven players could crack the opening night roster. Bob Stauffer has said he "could foresee a scenario" where Matt Savoie, Ike Howard, David Tomasek, Noah Philp, and Alec Regula all make the team. Several of these players, including Philp and Regula, have reportedly had strong training camps.

With Walman sidelined and other roster decisions looming, the Oilers' opening night lineup remains a work in progress. The team's management will need to be creative in the coming days to ensure they are cap-compliant and ice a competitive team against the Flames.