Oilers Pundit Suggests Organization May Have Concerns with Walman’s Work Ethic

After an injury-riddled 2025-26 season, both Edmonton Oilers fans and the organization were optimistic about a bounce-back 2026-27 for Jake Walman. Though it’s early, it’s been anything but that through the nine games he’s dressed so far.

Walman was out of the lineup on Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames, and it wasn’t injury related. Head coach Mike Babcock told reporters ahead of the outing that the 30-year-old would be sitting out as a healthy scratch. When asked what led to the decision, the 63-year-old bench boss was brutally honest.

“You’ve gone over and over and over it and it’s been coming,” Babcock said. “You guys watched the game once, and I’ve watched the game lots. I see those clips over and over and over again. If you’re in those wrong clips, pretty soon you’re in the wrong spot.”

This is far from an ideal scenario for the Oilers, as Walman is in the first year of a seven-year, $49 million extension he signed just over a year ago. All of a sudden, it’s looking like his struggles when in the lineup last season may not have been a one-off. To his credit, however, he seemed to handle sitting out the right way.

“It’s obviously not fun being out,” Walman said shortly after the news broke. “I’ve been through some tough times in my career, but they make me stronger. I know that for sure, and I believe in myself. So that’s where we are now.”

Now, the fan base is left hoping that this type of message sent from Babcock is what Walman needs to get going. They need him to be a big factor on the back end with the amount of cap space he’s taking up. Unfortunately, there may be an issue with Walman as to why he’s struggled so immensely as of late.

Walman’s Motivation Coming Into Question

One of the most puzzling things regarding Walman’s drop in play is that Oilers fans know how good he is capable of being. He was outstanding when acquired late in the 2024-25 season, and played a big role on their blue line in what wound up marking their second-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. That great play was what led to him earning such a big extension.

What makes his recent play concerning is that it may not have anything to do with his skill level. Tom Gazzola, who hosts The Tom Gazzola Show on Sports 1440, mentioned that there has been some chatter that Walman’s motivation may not be at the level the Oilers need it to be.

“From what I’ve witnessed, observed watching him play over the last year and a bit since he’s come over to the Oilers, and then things I’ve been told from others around the league and then stuff internally from the Oilers, I’m worried about a broken motivator. I am. And I hope I’m wrong,” Gazzola said.

The fact that Gazzola, who is very credible, says he’s heard this from some within the Oilers organization is very telling, but may also help solve the mystery as to why Walman’s play has declined. That certainly isn’t what any fan of the team wants to hear given just how much is riding on this season.

Oilers Need Best Version of Walman

On paper, the Oilers have a better blue line than many credit them for. Their top pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard are continuing to do outstanding work, and Ryan Shea has quickly proven to be a great asset. Connor Murphy hasn’t had the greatest start to the season, but by all accounts is a top-four defenceman.

With that top four, all Walman needs to do is be steady in a third-pairing role. He has the skillset to do so, but may simply be lacking the will to put in the effort needed. That is quite concerning given just how good of a roster he has the luxury of being a part of, but if it is indeed the case, Babcock is going to need to continue being extremely hard on him in the hope that he can get the best out of a player who has looked like a liability so far this season.