Why Red Wings traded Jake Walman, second-round pick to Sharks for future considerations

Three days before the NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings traded defenseman Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations, the teams announced Tuesday.

The trade came shortly after the Red Wings had acquired that second-round pick from the Predators (along with prospect Jesse Kiiskinen) in exchange for prospect defenseman Andrew Gibson — who was a 2023 second-rounder.

UPDATE: The pic.twitter.com/14i7Pak0VP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 25, 2024

Walman, who played nearly 20 minutes per game for Detroit over the last two seasons, has two years remaining on his contract at a $3.4 million cap hit. Last season, he scored 12 goals and had 21 points in 63 games.

Walman spent the first three seasons of his NHL career in St. Louis, but blossomed with more opportunity in Detroit, earning a three-year contract extension in 2023. Now, he will head to the rebuilding Sharks, where he could play an even larger role.

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Why did Detroit make this trade?

The simplest answer appears to be clearing cap room. The Red Wings had nearly $30 million in cap space entering the day, but that number is deceptive because of the need to sign RFA pillars Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, who together could command north of $17 million if they were to sign long-term deals. Combine that with the fact Detroit only had 13 roster spots accounted for, and there was a need to clear some money off the books.

The Red Wings also had an especially crowded blue line, with five returning defensemen under contract, Seider as a sure-to-be-signed RFA, plus prospects Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson expected to be on the roster this season. That would have totaled eight blueliners, five of whom shoot left. That necessitated a move, and the Red Wings opted to trade the left-shot Walman and his $3.4 million cap hit.

Notably, Detroit opted to move Walman to clear that space after he played a major role for the Red Wings the past two seasons. He played somewhat regularly on the top defense pairing next to Seider, defending well because of his high-end skating, and his shot was a weapon from the point. He had a rockier season in 2023-24, as he battled injuries and ultimately found himself on the outside of the lineup down the stretch.

Asked about Walman’s role last week, general manager Steve Yzerman said, “Depending on what we do or don’t do this summer, he’ll be back in competition for ice time, like they all are.” Now, Walman’s off to San Jose.

What is especially stunning, though, is that Detroit had to attach a second-round pick to move Walman’s contract. While his defensive numbers took a big hit last season, Walman still has all the tools of an NHL regular, and his cap hit at $3.4 million was not excessive. It still clears needed cap and roster space for Detroit, but the sticker shock of moving him is jarring. — Max Bultman, Red Wings staff writer

What’s next for Red Wings?

The obvious implication of a move this drastic is that the Red Wings feel they need space for something else. Yzerman has expressed an interest in bringing back LHD Shayne Gostisbehere, who is a free agent, and this may enable him to do so.

The Red Wings also have a major need in the top six and may be able to use the added space to pursue an upgrade there. While the high price of moving Walman is certainly the story Tuesday, this move will ultimately be judged based on what Detroit does with the cap space it has now cleared. — Bultman

What can Walman do for Sharks?

Armed with plenty of cap space, San Jose GM Mike Grier could — and really, he must — add to his roster and make it more competitive after a horrid 19-54-9 season and this is certainly one that doesn’t blow a large hole into their vast amount of room or commit a ton of salary for years on end. Even with taking on Walman’s $3.4 million cap hit for two more seasons, the Sharks still have more than an estimated $29 million available.

The defense corps was among many sore spots for the Sharks last season and Walman should help. Once a third-round pick that originally came up with St. Louis, the Toronto native has shown that he can capably handle top-four minutes and fill a glaring hole. Walman gives San Jose another proven veteran who’s in his prime years and lessens the need to lean so much on young Henry Thrun or rush the development of top defenseman prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin.

The Sharks have started to restructure their blue line. Calen Addison won’t return, which Grier confirmed Monday, and there is a dire need for a pure puck mover they haven’t had since trading Erik Karlsson. Walman, who was hampered by a lower-body injury in the season’s final month, won’t really help there but he’s got a big shot from the point and is perfectly willing to block them in his own end, even though his overall defensive play can be erratic.

The Red Wings were crowded on defense and San Jose jumped on a player deemed expendable. That Grier was able to also extract another second-round pick for essentially nothing is a coup. Granted, Detroit had an extra choice, and the Red Wings are further along in their evolution to where making the playoffs is more important than hoarding picks. But the Sharks now have three in the second in addition to the No. 1 and No. 14 picks for Friday night. That’s pretty good work. — Eric Stephens, Sharks staff writer

Is San Jose any better now?

There is a lot more work to be done, but the Sharks will at least be different in 2024-25. Grier has been active of late, claiming veteran grinder Barclay Goodrow — who originally came up with the Sharks and is beloved for his Game 7 overtime goal in 2019 to eliminate Vegas — off waivers from the New York Rangers and trading for young checking forward Ty Dellandrea.

Now they picked up a proven veteran in Walman, which should be different from last season’s short-term acquisitions of Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman, who were meant to be spun into tradeable assets. Grier has said he won’t skip steps as he builds out the Sharks after bottoming out, but this should be another step in making them a tougher foe for opponents. But they can use another finisher or two up front to possibly go with Will Smith and presumed top pick Macklin Celebrini, if they’re on the team. — Stephens

Required reading

(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)