Jake Walman (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/772310da-be98-4a6e-82a7-09d7f45bfc8a.jpeg] Jake Walman (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) NHL players moved at the trade deadline have now had more than a week to get accustomed to their new squads. Some players already dealt with switching teams not long ago, while other veterans underwent the big shift for the first time. Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers] defenseman Jake Walman, Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] right winger Mikko Rantanen and Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] center Brock Nelson are three examples. Each player’s had a different storyline that caught the hockey world’s attention. Walman, 29, was traded to the San Jose Sharks in June 2024 with a second-round draft pick from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations. He recorded a career-high 32 points and provided offensive upside with smart defensive play with the Sharks, which received a 2026 first-rounder to trade him to Edmonton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/revamped-oilers-blueline-could-be-best-in-the-league] less than a year later. Walman’s endeared himself to his new teammates in five games. "Nice addition for our team. Adds a lot of speed," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said on Sunday. "He's a great guy to get the puck and get it out of pressure. His mobility is as good as anyone for a defenseman." Nelson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/players/breaking-trade-news-avalanche-acquire-brock-nelson-from-the-new-york-islanders], 33, spent more than a decade with the New York Islanders but was the subject of trade rumors for most of the season as the team struggled. He now has to adjust to a new team in a new conference during an intense playoff push. It’s also closing in on a decade since the Avalanche drafted Rantanen. But the 28-year-old was shocked when Colorado traded the pending UFA [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6206058/2025/03/15/stars-mikko-rantanen-avalanche-hurricanes/] to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. Without a contract extension, Rantanen went on the move again at the trade deadline to Dallas. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/hes-a-superstar-take-notice-nhl-the-cup-contending-stars-are-deeper-than-ever] He joined a contender that already has Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, Wyatt Johnston and one of the best netminders in the NHL, Jake Oettinger, who is one of three goalies with 30 wins this season. Avry Lewis-McDougall looks beyond the stats of each player since the trades [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-trade-deadline-central-2025-trade-tracker-analysis-speculation-lists-and-more] and examines how they’ve fit in with their new clubs in a short time in his video column. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
