The NHL has experienced a whirlwind of activity in the past few days, all due to the trade deadline. As the window to make deals closed, teams that had been inactive earlier rushed to finalize moves, leading to some surprising transactions. One of the most shocking was the Boston Bruins trading Brad Marchand for a draft pick. The trade sent shockwaves across the league, prompting NHL star Connor McDavid to weigh in on the situation.
McDavid’s Thoughts on the Trade Deadline
Speaking to the media ahead of an upcoming game, McDavid shared his thoughts on the frenzied final days of the trade period. He specifically pointed out how the Colorado Avalanche stood out to him as one of the most active teams. “I feel like Colorado’s got like a brand-new team,” McDavid said. “But it’s a trade deadline, and that’s going to happen. There’s going to be teams that load up.”
McDavid’s own team, the Edmonton Oilers, was among those that made notable moves, capitalizing on the Bruins’ roster shake-up. The Oilers acquired Trent Frederic and Max Jones, two forwards who could provide additional depth. Expressing his satisfaction with the acquisitions, McDavid stated, “I feel like I like our moves, feel like we’re in a good spot. That’s all we can ask for.”
Strengthening the Oilers’ Defense
In addition to adding firepower up front, the Oilers also addressed their defense by signing Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old blueliner brings much-needed physicality to the team. McDavid praised the acquisitions, noting that “Wally’s great, Freddy and Jonesy as well. You know, just all big bodies that can skate.”
Edmonton’s Recent Struggles
The Oilers have faced challenges in recent games, suffering four tough losses, including defeats against the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Anaheim Ducks. Their most recent setback was a 6-3 loss to Anaheim. McDavid hopes the new additions will help the team play “a little bit more of a heavier game” on the ice.
McDavid’s Excitement for an Old Friend
Among the three new players, McDavid was particularly enthusiastic about playing alongside defenseman Jake Walman. The two have known each other for years, having competed together and against each other in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) over a decade ago. “Wally’s a great player. Kind of grew up playing against him, playing with him, know him well,” McDavid shared. He emphasized Walman’s skill set, describing him as a “solid, big body” who “skates well, defends well” and will provide crucial support on the back end.
Walman’s Perspective on Joining the Oilers
For his part, Walman is equally excited about the move. The former Sharks defenseman has always wanted to be part of a championship-contending team, and despite Edmonton’s recent struggles, they remain a strong Stanley Cup contender.
Reflecting on his reunion with McDavid, Walman admitted he was still in disbelief. “Yeah, I got to pinch myself a little bit. It’s cool for me being back, seeing Connor. Know a bunch of guys familiar, bunch of guys on the team, and bunch of new faces. So I’m excited to get going,” he said.
Now, the focus shifts to how quickly these new acquisitions can integrate into the Oilers’ system and help them regain their momentum. With crucial games ahead, their impact on the ice will be closely watched.