With news that the Edmonton Oilers have borrowed Riley Stillman back to the AHL, defenseman Jake Walman’s return feels imminent. Multiple reports suggest that fans can expect Walman to return soon. Whether that is Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks remains to be seen, but Walman is on a road trip and says he feels ready to go.
The Oilers are doing their annual dad trip this week and Walman was spotted with his dad. There’s a good chance he’ll be there playing with his dad to watch, and that means Alec Regula or Ty Emberson could be out of the lineup, potentially putting Walman back with Darnell Nurse. Regula and Nurse have struggled as a pairing, and the Oilers will be happy to have a more stable option to play next to No. 25.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch hinted that one of Monday or Tuesday’s games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators could be the date when Walman returns to the lineup.
How will the Walman oil squirters fit in again?
The Oilers will likely move Adam Henrique to Long-Term Injured Reserve, creating enough cap space for the team to activate not only Walman, but also Tristan Jarry from LTIR. Jarry was also back on the ice this past week and is expected to return in one of the next two games.
To create additional cap space, an Andrew Mangiapane trade is still expected and is being worked on. The Oilers hope to transfer all $3.6 million of his contract, and the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks have been mentioned as possible landing spots.
There is also the possibility of sending Ike Howard back to the AHL, as would be the case with Ingram, who is waived.
Next: Oilers shoot down Canucks’ reunion trade offer
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