Sports · Other Sports · 5 hrs ago
Babcock sits Jake Walman as Oilers coach stresses accountability
Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock has made accountability clear through his lineup choices early this season.
Defenseman Jake Walman has missed two straight games after his ice time was reduced in a loss to Detroit.
Walman has one point and a team-worst minus-7 rating, and he practised Friday with winger Max Jones as his defence partner.
Babcock said he would meet with Walman and review the situation before deciding what to do.
Teammates say the 30-year-old knows he must impress the coaching staff to get back in the lineup.
The Oilers are trying to build a team ready to challenge for the Stanley Cup after being eliminated in the first round last spring.
Walman’s next opportunity depends on Babcock’s decision, with Edmonton scheduled to play the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Oilers coach Mike Babcock sat defenseman Jake Walman for a second straight game as he emphasized accountability.
Walman played just over 13 minutes in a 4-3 shootout loss to Detroit on Monday, then did not play in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Calgary.
He has one point and a team-worst minus-7 rating.
Babcock said he would meet with Walman on Friday and discuss the situation.
Teammate Mattias Ekholm said the lineup decisions send a message that players need to be on their game every night.
- Who
- Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman was sat by coach Mike Babcock.
- What
- Walman missed back-to-back games as Babcock stressed accountability.
- When
- The news was reported October 30, 2026; Walman missed Wednesday’s game and was expected to be out Saturday.
- Where
- With the Edmonton Oilers; the team practised on Long Island ahead of a game at the New York Islanders.
- Why
- Babcock’s lineup decisions were presented as a way to establish accountability. Walman had inconsistent performances and reduced ice time.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Oilers forward Trent Frederic was a healthy scratch.
Walman played just over 13 minutes in a 4-3 shootout loss to Detroit.
Walman did not play as Edmonton beat Calgary 4-0.
Babcock said he would meet with Walman and discuss the situation.
Edmonton was scheduled to play the New York Islanders, with Walman expected to remain out.
- Walman’s points
- 1
- Walman’s rating
- Team-worst minus-7
- Detroit game
- 4-3 shootout loss on Monday
- Calgary game
- 4-0 Edmonton win on Wednesday
- Walman’s ice time
- Just over 13 minutes against Detroit
3 sources
What people are saying
It sends a message that you’ve got to be on your game every night
Embrace whatever you’ve been given and make it better.
Wally is a veteran, and I think he knows what he needs to do to get back in and impress our coaching staff in a way that they’re not able to take him out anymore