The Oilers recently acquired Jake Walman, and now an NHL insider believes he could be part of the long-term solution and signed for many years to come. Jake Walman has been an immediate contributor for the Edmonton Oilers, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl/trades/edmonton-oilers-complete-a-trade-with-the-san-jose-sharks-for-a-dynamic-defenseman' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>quickly proving to be a great pickup</a> on their blueline. The team may now be inclined to sign him as a long-term piece. Would not surprise me if he is part of the long-term solution as a top-4 D in Edmonton. Worth the draft capital moved in the deal IMO. - Bob Stauffer <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Bob_Stauffer/status/1899537847427956844'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Snagged from the San Jose Sharks, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/jake-walman-8478013' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Walman</a> wasn't an infamous trade rumor target. Still, Oilers correspondent Bob Stauffer recently explained the team believes Walman to be a vital part of its defense corps down the road. <h3>Walman is under contract for just next season</h3> As Walman is due to become a free agent after next season, the Oilers should pursue an extension agreement. <a href='https://puckpedia.com/player/jake-walman' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Walman is signed next season for a modest $3.4 million cap hit</a>. With his solid play, he'll receive a raise, but with the cap increasing, signing him earlier rather than later may be the move. Despite having played just two games with the Oilers, Walman's two-way play is already winning over the fans and front office. He contributes physical play, sound defending, and excellent puck-moving. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/AzorcanGlobal/status/1898642485389193464'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Analytics suggest Walman has been an underutilized defender throughout his NHL career. If he continues to play like this, particularly in the playoffs, a long-term extension would be well worth it. More promising for Edmonton, however, is that Walman and Mattias Ekholm have not yet shared time on the ice. Having both in the lineup, the Oilers' defense would have the potential to rank among the league's finest, and Walman would be part of that process.