🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨 The #Oilers have acquired defenceman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a conditional first-round draft pick & forward Carl Berglund. Full transaction details ⤵️ https://t.co/sr51joXhRo

The Edmonton Oilers beefed up their defense on Thursday with the acquisition of Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks. The Oilers sent their 2026 first-round pick — which they can move to 2027 if it is a top-12 pick — and forward Carl Berglund to the Sharks.

Before Thursday night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, the Sharks had already traded goalie Vitek Vanecek and center Nico Sturm to the Florida Panthers in separate deals. In February, San Jose sent forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci to the Dallas Stars, and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to the Avalanche in December.

As the hours tick down to the deadline, the Canadiens find themselves in the unusual position of valuing the present more than the future.

The arrival of Walman fixes Edmonton's biggest priority ahead of the deadline, reported to be the addition of a defenseman. It gives the Oilers a versatile option for their top four, joining Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse.

The Edmonton Oilers are making some lineup changes ahead of Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, they will have to play their game down two key defensemen.