Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to all of you. I&#8217;ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing the Edmonton Oilers&#8217; trade deadline, Jake Walman expectations, where Evander Kane fits when he returns, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_171359" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-171359" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-171359 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-171359" class="wp-caption-text">Mar 8, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Max Jones (46) protects the puck from Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (18) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Cliff asks &#8211; Did the Oilers do enough at <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/07/edmonton-oilers-2025-nhl-trade-deadline-live-blog/">the trade deadline</a> to keep pace with the rest of the Stanley Cup contenders?
Jason Gregor:
They did more than LA, VEG or MIN, the three teams they can meet in the first round. And likely in the second. Edmonton has many guys who haven’t had great regular seasons but can heat up. McDavid will be better, and Hyman as well. Arvidsson has lots of room to improve. I really like the Walman addition, and Frederic, when he arrives, will be a big addition. Then there is Kane, who, even if he is only a fourth liner to start, could be an upgrade. I think EDM is still a legitimate contender.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Rest of the Cup contenders? Probably not. Colorado totally revamped their team, Florida added a couple of difference makers, and Dallas got the best player available. Still, the Oilers&#8217; path to the Western Conference finals likely involves Vegas, Los Angeles, and Minnesota, and they did do more than all of them, so that&#8217;s a plus. All in all, I&#8217;m pleased with the deadline.
Baggedmilk:
Based on the one game he&#8217;s played, I really like <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/06/edmonton-oilers-acquire-jake-walman-from-san-jose-sharks/">the Jake Walman add</a>. Same goes for the two games I&#8217;ve seen from Maximum Jones. That guy bangs and crashes every time he&#8217;s on the ice, and I&#8217;m into the energy he&#8217;s bringing to the table.
<figure id="attachment_171348" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-171348" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-171348 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-171348" class="wp-caption-text">Mar 8, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Jake Walman (96) moves the puck in front of Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnson (53) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
2) Art asks &#8211; I don&#8217;t know much <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/08/getting-to-know-jake-walman-the-newest-defenceman-on-the-oilers/">about Jake Walman</a>. How do you see him helping and fitting into the Oilers&#8217; top four?
Jason Gregor:
Very mobile. Good passer, sneaky, physically strong, and very competitive. He’s a great addition. He will start with Nurse. I think this will lower Ekholm and Bouchard’s minute a bit.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I think he is going to be a great partner for Darnell Nurse. He&#8217;s not great at defending off the rush, which does concern me, but he&#8217;s an excellent puck mover and he&#8217;s comfortable on the right side. Nurse has always worked better with a puck mover. It&#8217;s only been one game, but the early signs are very encouraging.
Baggedmilk:
Based on the one game I&#8217;ve actively watched him, you can tell the guy moves the puck well, and he certainly isn&#8217;t shy about throwing his body around. The <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/08/jake-walman-zach-hyman-first-point-edmonton-oilers/">long-bomb pass on Hyman&#8217;s goal</a> was awesome, as was the hit he threw on Mikko Rantanen. Pretty solid first impression, IMO.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41662" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/walter-white-money-e1532372960904.jpg" alt="" width="950" height="534" />
3) Yves asks &#8211; Are you disappointed that the Oilers made it through the trade deadline with some leftover cap space? Why or why not?
Jason Gregor:
If there was no addition that made sense or could work, I don’t see it being an issue. Grabbing another player just to use the cap space wouldn’t make sense if it didn’t clearly make them better.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Yes and no. Their forward group is already so full that adding a player just for the sake of it wouldn&#8217;t have been a great idea. On their blueline, they now have John Klingberg and Troy Stecher sitting out and there weren&#8217;t any low end rentals on the market that made sense. I was thinking maybe we&#8217;d see an Alex Lyon deal or something like that, but it obviously wasn&#8217;t in the cards.
Baggedmilk:
We heard that the Oilers were in on Mikko Rantanen and the deal just didn&#8217;t work out, which tells me that Stan Bowman was out there fishing, so I&#8217;m not too disappointed they still have a million bucks left. As for what did get done, I like the Walman, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/04/oilers-acquire-trent-frederic-max-jones-from-bruins-in-three-team-trade/">Frederic, and Jones additions</a> so far, so we&#8217;ll have to wait and see if it was enough.
<figure id="attachment_170942" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-170942" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-170942 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid and Trent Frederic" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-170942" class="wp-caption-text">Trent Frederic, Connor McDavid © Winslow Townson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
4) Blake asks &#8211; <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/04/what-trent-frederic-max-jones-bring-to-nhl-oilers/">Trent Frederic</a> looks to have more offence in him than I expected when the trade went down. Do you see a situation where he would play higher in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> with Edmonton than in Boston?
Jason Gregor:
He will either play third line C or top-six wing. I’d like to see him get a look on left wing with Leon Draisaitl or even McDavid.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Yes. I think he could be an excellent fit with either Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid. He might be a faster version of Pat Maroon. I would like to see either him or Max Jones get a look with one of the big guns.
Baggedmilk:
I think he&#8217;ll probably start somewhere in the bottom six, but I also wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if he moonlights in the top six at times. The guy can score a little more than we may expect, and I wonder if that gets him a few shifts next to Leon Draisaitl at some point.
<figure id="attachment_171269" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-171269" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-171269 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Evander Kane" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-171269" class="wp-caption-text">May 29, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane (91) looks to make a pass in front of Dallas Stars defensemen Thomas Harley (55) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
5) Brendyn asks &#8211; <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/07/edmonton-oilers-evander-kane-miss-remainder-regular-season/">Assuming Evander Kane returns</a> for the first round of the playoffs, where do you see him fitting in the current lineup?
Jason Gregor:
I would plan on him being on the fourth line to start, and then if his play shows he can play higher in the lineup, you move him up. He hasn’t played a game since June 10th, so there must be realistic expectations of what he can bring.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Somewhere in the bottom six. You can&#8217;t expect a guy like that to just jump right into the lineup and be able to keep up in the Oilers top-six. Ease him in on the fourth line and go from there.
Baggedmilk:
I&#8217;d guess he starts at 3LW or even 4LW until he gets some timing back.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
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GDB Stan Bowman Edmonton Oilers photoshop

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to all of you. I've got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we're discussing the Edmonton Oilers' trade deadline, Jake Walman expectations, where Evander Kane fits when he returns, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_171359" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-171359 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624922_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars" width="1024" height="683" /> Mar 8, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Max Jones (46) protects the puck from Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (18) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Cliff asks - Did the Oilers do enough at <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/07/edmonton-oilers-2025-nhl-trade-deadline-live-blog/">the trade deadline</a> to keep pace with the rest of the Stanley Cup contenders?

Jason Gregor:

They did more than LA, VEG or MIN, the three teams they can meet in the first round. And likely in the second. Edmonton has many guys who haven’t had great regular seasons but can heat up. McDavid will be better, and Hyman as well. Arvidsson has lots of room to improve. I really like the Walman addition, and Frederic, when he arrives, will be a big addition. Then there is Kane, who, even if he is only a fourth liner to start, could be an upgrade. I think EDM is still a legitimate contender.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Rest of the Cup contenders? Probably not. Colorado totally revamped their team, Florida added a couple of difference makers, and Dallas got the best player available. Still, the Oilers' path to the Western Conference finals likely involves Vegas, Los Angeles, and Minnesota, and they did do more than all of them, so that's a plus. All in all, I'm pleased with the deadline.

Baggedmilk:

Based on the one game he's played, I really like <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/06/edmonton-oilers-acquire-jake-walman-from-san-jose-sharks/">the Jake Walman add</a>. Same goes for the two games I've seen from Maximum Jones. That guy bangs and crashes every time he's on the ice, and I'm into the energy he's bringing to the table.

[caption id="attachment_171348" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-171348 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_25624925-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" /> Mar 8, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Jake Walman (96) moves the puck in front of Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnson (53) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

2) Art asks - I don't know much <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/08/getting-to-know-jake-walman-the-newest-defenceman-on-the-oilers/">about Jake Walman</a>. How do you see him helping and fitting into the Oilers' top four?

Jason Gregor:

Very mobile. Good passer, sneaky, physically strong, and very competitive. He’s a great addition. He will start with Nurse. I think this will lower Ekholm and Bouchard’s minute a bit.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I think he is going to be a great partner for Darnell Nurse. He's not great at defending off the rush, which does concern me, but he's an excellent puck mover and he's comfortable on the right side. Nurse has always worked better with a puck mover. It's only been one game, but the early signs are very encouraging.

Baggedmilk:

Based on the one game I've actively watched him, you can tell the guy moves the puck well, and he certainly isn't shy about throwing his body around. The <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/08/jake-walman-zach-hyman-first-point-edmonton-oilers/">long-bomb pass on Hyman's goal</a> was awesome, as was the hit he threw on Mikko Rantanen. Pretty solid first impression, IMO.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41662" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/walter-white-money-e1532372960904.jpg" alt="" width="950" height="534" />

3) Yves asks - Are you disappointed that the Oilers made it through the trade deadline with some leftover cap space? Why or why not?

Jason Gregor:

If there was no addition that made sense or could work, I don’t see it being an issue. Grabbing another player just to use the cap space wouldn’t make sense if it didn’t clearly make them better.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Yes and no. Their forward group is already so full that adding a player just for the sake of it wouldn't have been a great idea. On their blueline, they now have John Klingberg and Troy Stecher sitting out and there weren't any low end rentals on the market that made sense. I was thinking maybe we'd see an Alex Lyon deal or something like that, but it obviously wasn't in the cards.

Baggedmilk:

We heard that the Oilers were in on Mikko Rantanen and the deal just didn't work out, which tells me that Stan Bowman was out there fishing, so I'm not too disappointed they still have a million bucks left. As for what did get done, I like the Walman, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/04/oilers-acquire-trent-frederic-max-jones-from-bruins-in-three-team-trade/">Frederic, and Jones additions</a> so far, so we'll have to wait and see if it was enough.

[caption id="attachment_170942" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-170942 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22753296-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid and Trent Frederic" width="1024" height="683" /> Trent Frederic, Connor McDavid © Winslow Townson-Imagn Images[/caption]

4) Blake asks - <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/04/what-trent-frederic-max-jones-bring-to-nhl-oilers/">Trent Frederic</a> looks to have more offence in him than I expected when the trade went down. Do you see a situation where he would play higher in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> with Edmonton than in Boston?

Jason Gregor:

He will either play third line C or top-six wing. I’d like to see him get a look on left wing with Leon Draisaitl or even McDavid.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Yes. I think he could be an excellent fit with either Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid. He might be a faster version of Pat Maroon. I would like to see either him or Max Jones get a look with one of the big guns.

Baggedmilk:

I think he'll probably start somewhere in the bottom six, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he moonlights in the top six at times. The guy can score a little more than we may expect, and I wonder if that gets him a few shifts next to Leon Draisaitl at some point.

[caption id="attachment_171269" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-171269 size-large" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_23418166-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Evander Kane" width="1024" height="683" /> May 29, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane (91) looks to make a pass in front of Dallas Stars defensemen Thomas Harley (55) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

5) Brendyn asks - <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/03/07/edmonton-oilers-evander-kane-miss-remainder-regular-season/">Assuming Evander Kane returns</a> for the first round of the playoffs, where do you see him fitting in the current lineup?

Jason Gregor:

I would plan on him being on the fourth line to start, and then if his play shows he can play higher in the lineup, you move him up. He hasn’t played a game since June 10th, so there must be realistic expectations of what he can bring.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Somewhere in the bottom six. You can't expect a guy like that to just jump right into the lineup and be able to keep up in the Oilers top-six. Ease him in on the fourth line and go from there.

Baggedmilk:

I'd guess he starts at 3LW or even 4LW until he gets some timing back.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

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Monday Mailbag: Did the Oilers do enough at the NHL trade deadline?

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