Last June, the Detroit Red Wings traded defenceman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks.

Having grown impatient with his development and looking for cap flexibility, the Red Wings even paid the Sharks a second-round pick just to absorb Walman’s contract. The return? Future considerations.

Fast forward one year, and Walman is eight wins from seeing his name engraved on the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers. And what a worthy engravement it would be. Because through two rounds, this under-the-radar trade-deadline acquisition has been one of the most impactful defenders of the playoffs.

The Oilers moved on Walman and his expiring contract at the cost of Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round pick, looking to shore up their blueline depth and add offensive firepower in the process. Walman’s passing and playmaking from the back end would figure to be a weapon behind........

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