The Detroit Red Wings have certainly had some question marks surrounding their defensive core leading up to this holiday break. Meanwhile, one player that has particularly continued to catch my eye each night, has been Jake Walman.

Walman has only played in half of the Red Wings games so far this season coming off a shoulder injury in the year prior, but since his return, has played outstanding. The energy he brings every night has been nothing to shy away from. Although his point production is low, Walman is second on the team in +/- with a +14 only behind Filip Hronek. With the defensive pairs being juggled within the past month, he’s been a perfect plug and play guy. Whether it has been playing alongside Hronek or slotting in on the third pairing, he’s shown he should be in the lineup every night.

Could Jake Walman be a part of the Red Wings’ future?

Dating back to last season, Walman was traded from the St Louis Blues. A deal in which Detroit received Oskar Sundqvist and a 2023′ second-round pick for Nick Leddy along with Luke Witkowski. This trade has since worked out tremendously for the Red Wings, with both Sundqvist and Walman blooming in the Winged Wheel.

Moving forward, Walman was going through a shoulder injury in which he had surgery in the off season. After showing many positive signs in the small sample size the season prior. General Manager Steve Yzerman signed him for a one year 1.5 million dollar contract. A deal in which gave an opportunity for Walman to prove his worth to the franchise. So far, he’s stepped up and took advantage of that opportunity. But the question could he have a spot long term being only 26 years old with yields of potential?

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