The Edmonton Oilers announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, activating goaltender Tristan Jarry and defenseman Jake Walman from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). In corresponding transactions, the team placed forward Adam Henrique on LTIR and converted goalie Connor Ingram's emergency recall to a standard recall.
Jarry, 30, was acquired by the Oilers in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in December and was placed on injured reserve on December 19, one week after the trade. He sustained a lower-body injury in his third game with Edmonton against the Boston Bruins on December 18. In his brief time with the team, Jarry started three games and was credited with three wins. However, his individual stats included an .887 save percentage (SV%), a 3.08 goals-against average (GAA), and a -0.7 Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA). Before the trade to Edmonton, Jarry had a 9-3-1 record in 14 games with Pittsburgh, along with a .909 SV%, 2.66 GAA, and 4.8 GSAA. For the season, encompassing his time with both Pittsburgh and Edmonton, Jarry holds a 16-12-3 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average.
Walman, 29, returns to the Oilers' defensive lineup after being sidelined since late November with a lower-body injury. He has missed the team's last 23 games. Acquired by Edmonton from the San Jose Sharks at last year's trade deadline, Walman played a key role in the team's journey to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year. In 17 games this season, Walman has three goals and 10 points, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Before the injury, Walman maintained his steady performance, but the Oilers are seeking increased defensive stability from him, as his on-ice save percentage at even strength stands at 85.4%. His return gives Edmonton the chance to finally field a fully healthy top-four on defense.
With Jarry's return, questions arise regarding the Oilers' goaltending strategy. Connor Ingram has been reliable in Jarry's absence, securing a full-time role as the team's backup. This situation could potentially leave Calvin Pickard as the odd man out, despite his recent solid performances. For the time being, the Oilers are expected to keep three goalies on the roster, with Jarry and Ingram likely sharing the majority of the workload. A decision regarding Pickard's future with the team may be necessary after the Olympic break, potentially involving placing him on waivers.
Adam Henrique's placement on LTIR was anticipated. The veteran forward suffered an undisclosed injury on January 6 and is expected to be out for an extended period.
The Oilers face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, marking the second game of a back-to-back series. The activation of Jarry and Walman provides the team with crucial reinforcements as they navigate the season. How the Oilers defense looks over the coming weeks could heavily influence how aggressive GM Stan Bowman is in adding to the blue line ahead of the deadline.
