Sharks Deal Defenseman Jake Walman to Oilers: Winners and Losers

Sharks GM Mike Grier has pulled off one of the greatest moves of the season. The Red Wings have made some questionable moves in the past but perhaps none more so than trading a second-round pick to the Sharks to take Jake Walman's contract in exchange for future considerations (read: nothing). 

Walman wasn't a great fit for the Sharks, but he was nonetheless productive with 32 points and 125 shots in 50 games, serving as the Sharks' most dynamic defenseman. On Thursday evening, the Sharks traded Walman to the Oilers for a conditional first-round pick, continuing their sale of veterans as they build towards the future. 

In summary, the Sharks acquired a first-round pick and a second-round pick for five months of Walman - that's great business.

Winners:

Timothy Liljegren, D, Sharks (1% rostered)
Jack Thompson, D, Sharks (0% rostered)

We're talking about 'winning' in the slightest sense if only because Walman is no longer a threat to take Liljegren's minutes on the power play. At no point has Liljegren proven he can be a top power-play quarterback. He's not worth anything in fantasy, but I think it's just worth pointing out that he's likely going to be the Sharks' undisputed PP QB going forward.

I would argue that Thompson is getting the bigger fantasy boost because he goes from getting zero minutes to potentially getting a few. He's scored all three of his assists this season on the power play.

Losers:

Jake Walman, D, Oilers (58% rostered)

It may be strange that Walman is the 'loser' in this trade, but with the Oilers his minutes are going to drop and he's definitely not replacing Evan Bouchard on the power play. Walman, a lefty, has played mostly with righties (Liljegren, Cody Ceci) and the occasional lefty (Henry Thrun) with the Sharks. 

With Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm already on the left side, Walman is too good to be their third option. I can't see the Oilers breaking up Ekholm and Bouchard, so unless someone - including Walman - play on their off-side, it's a little difficult to see how Walman's going to get top-four minutes right now. Ekholm is currently injured but it's not believed to be serious.

Perhaps he's better in limited minutes because he can be a wild card and a liability on the ice sometimes, but there's no doubt he should help the Oilers' transition game. Make no mistake, moving to the Oilers is a great move for Walman because he gets to play with elite talent, but that's offset by playing a smaller role and fewer minutes.

I think Walman's still worth rostering but I this his production will dip slightly. We'll have to see how the Oilers use him before making a final call.