$7 million Oilers defenseman faces Mike Babcock's wrath as another tough decision looms
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Edmonton Oilers defenceman Jake Walman looks headed for another healthy scratch as Mike Babcock keeps the focus on effort and accountability.
Mike Babcock has made accountability the theme of his time in Edmonton, and Jake Walman is feeling it first.
The Oilers defenceman was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames, and it sounds like another night in the press box is coming.
Walman was the extra skater at Friday's practice, which usually points to a repeat when the Oilers visit the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon.
The 30-year-old has one assist and a team-worst minus-7 rating through nine games, and his ice time has slipped to just under 15 minutes a night.
The timing is awkward for Edmonton.
Walman is in the first season of a seven-year, $49 million extension he signed in October 2025, and he carries a $7 million cap hit.
Babcock is sticking to his message
Babcock has said the decision comes down to helping the team win, and that the coaching staff has already talked with Walman about being in the wrong spots too often on video.
When he was asked how Walman would take being scratched, the coach simply told reporters to ask the player.
Draisaitl said Walman is a veteran who knows what it takes to earn his spot back.
Babcock also spoke about working with Walman and the mindset he wants.
He said players should never let a coach be mentally tougher than they are, should get back to work and feel good about it, and should be ready when the opportunity arrives.
"He sits down and meets with me again here today and we go through the whole process. And then you have a look at what am I going to do?
"Now, the other thing about it, and I've said this to my kids over the years when they were little all the time, and it didn't go as good for them. Are you going to let any coach be mentally tougher than you are? Are you going to let someone else decide where you're going?
"No. What you're going to do is you're going to put your work boots on and you're going to get back to work, and you're going to feel good about working hard that day. And then when you get prepared for your opportunity, when you get it, you're normally ready. When you feel bad, when you don't put in the work, you feel sorry for yourself. When you get the opportunity, you're not ready.
"Now, I'm not trying to pretend life is fair, but I'm gonna say to you, embrace whatever you've been given and make it better."
- Mike Babcock
"Now, the other thing about it, and I've said this to my kids over the years when they were little all the time, and it didn't go as good for them. Are you going to let any coach be mentally tougher than you are? Are you going to let someone else decide where you're going?
"No. What you're going to do is you're going to put your work boots on and you're going to get back to work, and you're going to feel good about working hard that day. And then when you get prepared for your opportunity, when you get it, you're normally ready. When you feel bad, when you don't put in the work, you feel sorry for yourself. When you get the opportunity, you're not ready.
"Now, I'm not trying to pretend life is fair, but I'm gonna say to you, embrace whatever you've been given and make it better."
- Mike Babcock
What comes next for Walman
The Oilers are 9-2-2, and with Mattias Ekholm back from injury, the blue line has options.
That leaves Walman with a simple task, which is to prove he belongs in the lineup.
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