The Edmonton Oilers' training camp is set to be a hotbed of activity, with a potential shuffle in the left defense and a new coach, Mike Babcock, bringing his own style to the team. The focus is on Jake Walman, a talented but inconsistent player, and the question of whether he'll be under extreme pressure this season. Personally, I think the upcoming season will be a make-or-break one for Walman, and the new coach's approach could be the key to his success or failure.
The Case for Walman
What makes Walman particularly fascinating is his offensive flair and his ability to wheel with the puck. He's a comfortable fit on the second pair, and his speed is impressive, with a max speed at the 98th percentile. This makes him a valuable asset, especially when he's healthy. However, the issue with Walman is consistency, and this is where the pressure could come into play.
The Problem with Consistency
The problem fans see with Walman is his lack of consistency. This could open up opportunities at a competitive position at this fall's training camp, especially if Babcock decides to split the No. 1 tandem of Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm. The question is, can Walman step up and deliver the consistent performance that the team needs?
The New Second Pair
If the team decides to split Ekholm and Bouchard, the obvious choice for the second pairing on the right side is veteran Connor Murphy. A shutdown type, he would likely perform well with Ekholm, who can move the puck and is more mobile. This could be a strategic move to improve the second pairing's production.
The Impact of Babcock's Style
Babcock's defensive style will likely be more structured, with a focus on safe outlets and tighter coverage. This means the team will make far fewer mistakes in the defensive zone, and should recover the puck more quickly. The change in structure will come via the team's forwards, who will be more engaged in pressuring the puck by overloading the zone.
The Future of Walman
For Walman, the future is uncertain. While he has the talent, his inconsistent performance could be a problem. The new coach's approach and the team's structure could be the key to his success or failure. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can step up and deliver the consistent performance that the team needs.
In my opinion, the upcoming season will be a make-or-break one for Walman. The new coach's style and the team's structure could be the key to his success or failure. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can step up and deliver the consistent performance that the team needs.
