The San Jose Sharks are once again in the basement of the National Hockey League (NHL) standings and every mistake will have consequences. Talk to Jake Walman.
With seven points in his last four duels, the defender is impressive. He has been the most consistent guard on the California team this season and has taken a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
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On the other hand, he was -2 during Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He will thus be left aside by head coach David Warsofsky for Tuesday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“He knows how much I want to be there and I think the guys in the locker room know it too. It was quite a surprise to the other guys when I told them. It’s a little frustrating and they’re angry too,” Walman said after practice, according to The Hockey News.
“He’s frustrated. I think everyone wants to play,” Warsofsky himself admitted.
Walman said he didn’t want this decision to become too big. He respects the decision, but he still seems to have it in his throat.
With nine points in 13 games, the Ontarian was smoking hot. This is an extraordinary production for Walman, who has long been content with a role on the third pair in St. Louis or Detroit. He set his career high last season with 21 points, including 12 goals, with the Red Wings.
With this withdrawal from training, transaction rumors immediately began to swirl. The March 7 trade deadline is still a long way off, but the Sharks haven’t shown anything convincing so far.
San Jose could pull off a stroke of genius by trading Walman when his value is at its best. Additionally, the Sharks acquired him in June along with a second-round draft selection for future considerations.
The 28-year-old athlete is under contract until the end of the 2025-2025 campaign at a salary of $3.4 million.
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