The Edmonton Oilers have activated defenseman Jake Walman from injured reserve, a move announced Monday that is expected to provide a significant boost to their blue line. Walman, who had been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since September 21, is slated to return to action this week, potentially as early as Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.
To make room for Walman on the roster, the Oilers have placed right-handed defenseman Alec Regula on injured reserve. Regula last played on October 11 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Walman's return comes at a crucial time for the Oilers, who are currently on a three-game losing streak. The team hopes his presence will help stabilize their defense and improve their transition game. Walman is expected to be paired with Darnell Nurse. His return will likely mean that either Troy Stecher or Ty Emberson will be taken out of the lineup.
Prior to his injury, there were high expectations for Walman this season, especially after he signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension with the Oilers. The 29-year-old defenseman, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks last season, quickly became a key contributor, tallying eight points in 15 regular-season games. He also added 10 points in the playoffs, further solidifying his importance to the team.
Coach Kris Knoblauch had originally anticipated Walman being ready for the season opener, but a setback in his recovery delayed his return. Now healthy, Walman is eager to rejoin the team and contribute to their success.
The Oilers' injury situation has been a concern early in the season. In addition to Walman and Regula, forwards Zach Hyman and Mattias Janmark are also on injured reserve. Hyman, who underwent wrist surgery in the off-season, is expected to return next month, while Janmark's return date is uncertain.
The activation of Walman and the placement of Regula on injured reserve are just the latest roster moves for the Oilers as they navigate a challenging start to the season. With several players nearing their return, the team faces some difficult decisions in the coming weeks to manage their roster and salary cap.
