Walman helping Oilers meet ‘huge expectations’ during Stanley Cup Playoffs

A native of Toronto, Walman and McDavid played minor hockey together with the Under-14 Toronto Marlboros before reuniting in the NHL this season. With McDavid as a former teammate, it did not take Walman long to feel right at home in Edmonton.

“He fit in right away,” Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said. “For a few of us from the Toronto area, and me being from Hamilton, I worked out with him for a few years, too. There were some familiar faces in here and that always makes it very easy to fit into the group, and he’s fit in great with us.”

The willingness to block shots has endeared Walman to all his teammates. He was credited with four blocks in Game 1 and two in Game 2. A couple of them had him in distress on the bench but he was able to return on both occasions.

Walman’s ability to move the puck and skate out of trouble has also bolstered Edmonton’s mobile blue line.

“The biggest thing in hockey is obviously skating, and his skating ability are obviously really, really good,” Klingberg said. “He gets really low when he’s skating, he’s got a lot of balance, and he’s always on the move and being able to time it and control it a lot.

“He’s also a great hockey mind, he passes the puck really well and shoots it really well. Defensively, too, he’s blocking a lot of shots and is always in the right spots. I knew he was good before, but I was very surprised how good he actually is.”

Coming to a Stanley Cup contender, Walman knew expectations would be higher than on a rebuilding team in San Jose. So far, he’s risen to the challenge and is hoping to help Edmonton win its first Stanley Cup since 1990.

“Obviously, there are huge expectations here,” Walman said. “Coming in here knowing what this team was all about, I didn’t have to do too much out of my comfort zone, it’s just playing the way I know I can. I always knew I had this in me, I guess you wouldn’t really know unless you are close to me. This is where I am now and obviously at a stage where I can show it.”