Oilers’ Top Breakout Candidate for 2025–26 and Jake Walman’s Season Report Card as Defensive Depth Becomes Critical in Edmonton
As the Edmonton Oilers prepare for the 2025–26 NHL season with eyes once again fixed on the Stanley Cup, their success will rely not only on the production of stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but also on the emergence of new contributors. While veterans like Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard have become consistent fixtures, the difference between a deep playoff run and another disappointing exit could come down to which previously under-the-radar player takes the next step.
Simultaneously, Edmonton has made moves on the blue line to solidify its defense corps—none more interesting than the acquisition of Jake Walman, whose offensive upside and mobility have made him a player worth analyzing in detail. This season will be a proving ground for both the team’s younger forwards and its newly acquired defensemen, and nowhere is that balance more evident than in the combined focus on breakout candidates and performance accountability.
Among the young talent in Edmonton’s system, no player stands out more as a breakout candidate than Dylan Holloway. A former first-round pick in 2020, Holloway has spent the last two seasons fluctuating between the NHL and AHL, with flashes of brilliance but inconsistent results. That could change in 2025–26, especially with a roster that may lose veterans like Warren Foegele or Ryan McLeod due to salary cap constraints or trade considerations.
Holloway possesses all the physical tools to be an impact player: size, speed, a heavy shot, and a relentless motor. What he’s lacked, until now, is a consistent role in the top nine and the trust of the coaching staff in key situations. That seems likely to change under head coach Kris Knoblauch, who has signaled a willingness to give younger players more opportunity if they earn it.
“He’s got the tools to be a 20-goal scorer in this league,” Knoblauch said in a recent preseason media session. “It’s about confidence, consistency, and decision-making. We think he’s ready to take that next step.”
The Oilers are expected to give Holloway meaningful minutes in the preseason, and if he clicks with one of the team’s top centers, he could enter the regular season in a top-six role. He’s also a strong candidate for second power-play unit time, especially if Edmonton wants to rotate players and keep its top forwards fresh.
His impact goes beyond offensive production. Holloway’s straight-line speed and forechecking ability make him a nightmare for opposing defensemen on dump-ins and puck retrievals. His willingness to drive the net also makes him a valuable complement to finesse players like McDavid or Draisaitl.
If Holloway can stay healthy and carve out consistent ice time, he has all the ingredients to emerge as one of the league’s most improved forwards. In a year where the Oilers will need affordable, high-upside production from within the organization, he might be the most important wild card on the roster.
On the defensive end, Jake Walman enters the 2025–26 season as a new face with a very specific mandate: provide stability, mobility, and responsible puck-moving ability to a defensive corps that has too often leaned on inconsistent veterans. Acquired in a quiet offseason trade, Walman could end up being one of Edmonton’s most valuable additions if he plays up to potential.
The 29-year-old left-shot defenseman spent the previous three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he developed into a reliable top-four option. Known for his skating ability and modern transitional style, Walman doesn’t put up massive point totals but makes life easier for his defense partners and goaltenders. His first pass is crisp, he rarely gets caught out of position, and he has the ability to close gaps quickly in the neutral zone.
Here’s a breakdown of Walman’s 2024–25 season performance:
Walman’s calling card has always been his ability to skate. Whether it’s carrying the puck out of the zone, pinching in at the right time, or recovering defensively, his feet are rarely static. This allows him to adapt to high-pressure situations, particularly when facing elite rushes—a common challenge when you’re sharing ice with the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl in high-event games.
Walman isn’t a shutdown defender in the traditional sense, but he’s smart, aware, and rarely overcommits. He maintains good stick position and uses angles well to steer attackers to the outside. Where he can improve is in winning net-front battles and recovering rebounds, especially against more physical teams like Vegas or Dallas.
While not a power-play quarterback, Walman occasionally chips in with timely goals or assists. His shot from the point is deceptive and accurate, and he’s adept at slipping into soft areas for one-timers. That said, he isn’t going to rack up 40 points, and his offensive contributions are more a product of good decision-making than raw creativity.
One area that could use improvement is Walman’s decision-making under duress. At times last season, particularly against aggressive forechecking teams, he was prone to hurried clears or soft rim-arounds that led to extended zone time for opponents. Edmonton’s coaching staff will likely work with him on making more assertive plays under pressure.
Walman is not an overly physical player, but he doesn’t shy away from contact. His durability has improved, but nagging injuries have limited his usage in previous seasons. If he can stay healthy, he’s a strong candidate to eat 18–20 minutes a night in a second-pairing role.
Leadership and Intangibles: A-
Former teammates and coaches have consistently praised Walman for his professionalism, work ethic, and locker room presence. On a team like Edmonton—where internal leadership is pivotal and the pressure is sky-high—those intangibles can go a long way.
With Brett Kulak and Philip Broberg vying for similar minutes on the left side, Walman’s performance will be crucial in determining how Edmonton’s defensive depth shakes out. If he plays at his best, he could not only solidify the second pairing but allow the Oilers to consider moving a veteran like Kulak to free up cap space or address other needs.
The combination of Holloway’s breakout potential and Walman’s expected role reflects a broader trend in how Edmonton is structuring its roster. In previous seasons, the team often leaned too heavily on star players to carry the entire load. Now, there’s a clearer effort to empower secondary contributors, whether it’s younger players rising through the ranks or mid-tier veterans being put in positions to succeed.
For a team with limited cap flexibility, maximizing internal development and extracting value from affordable contracts is the only sustainable way to remain competitive. That means players like Holloway and Walman aren’t just supporting cast members—they’re essential components of a Cup-caliber blueprint.
Bowman and Knoblauch have both emphasized the importance of building a deeper, more balanced team, and that vision begins to materialize when players like Holloway take the next step and newcomers like Walman assimilate quickly.
The 2025–26 season will be defined by high expectations and minimal margin for error. Every roster decision, every shift, and every injury will carry weight. In that kind of pressure cooker, breakout players and new additions are often the difference between early exits and banner-raising moments.
Dylan Holloway has the skill set and opportunity to become the breakout story of the year for the Oilers, while Jake Walman has a chance to be the stabilizing presence Edmonton’s defense so desperately needs. If both hit their ceiling, the Oilers could finally find the balance they’ve been chasing for a decade.
And if not, the search will continue—and the urgency will only intensify.
