No, not at all. I’m saying Walman may be a good offensive defenseman, dangerous at the point and his assist numbers are especially nice, but a liability at the back and the Oilers have been shaky at the back, and that’s putting it nicely.
And “less time in our zone” is moot when opposing teams are entering at will and getting tons of odd man breaks against a shaky goalie pair, and opposing teams are picking off stretch passes and weak neutral zone plays, the league is on to our “zone denial” system and exit passes and knows how to play against them to maximize their own grade A chances.
Last nights second Canadiens goal was a perfect example, they gained entry, and our players passively tried to get in a box and watched the puck as they took a shot from the high slot and scored. How does that get reflected in expected goals? How does a puck mover help fix that?
We’re spending a future first rounder and not filling a need.
Which is especially concerning when playoff hockey is different, events matter more than bulk metrics and defense is tighter and goals hard to come by, Oilers would have been better served with an Oleksiak type acquisition than another puck mover weak at the back if the Cup is their ultimate goal.
Losing Broberg who had a solid defensive playoff effort last season and having to give up a first to replace him without addressing actual defense makes it hurt a little more.
