The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed defenceman, Jake Walman to a three-year contract extension. The Red Wings announced the signing via Twitter on Tuesday morning. Additionally, the one-way contract carries an average annual value of $3.4 million through the 2025-26 season.
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today signed defenseman Jake Walman to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.4 million.
📰 » https://t.co/srrjtmfpYp pic.twitter.com/HhMwEmkrgO
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 28, 2023
Jake Walman Re-Signs with Detroit
Detroit acquired Walman in March 2022 during the trade deadline from the St. Louis Blues. The Red wings also received Oskar Sundqvist and a 2023 second-round pick. The Blues traded all three of these assets just for Nick Leddy. Additionally, the Blues selected Walman in the third round in 2014.
Based on his draft position and trade value, Walman is an underrated gem. His statistics and underlying numbers only further this claim. At 27 year-old, Walman is still growing as a player. Starting with his base metrics, Walman has five goals and five assists in 40 games. Again, these numbers don’t stick out. However, this isn’t where Walman makes himself know.
Walman is Detroit’s Best Play-Driver
On-ice metrics show Walman to be a great play-driver this season. Walman has controlled 55.15% of the shots, 55.01% of the xG, 50.34% of the scoring-chances, and 53.85% of the high-danger corsi. These percentages all rank first on the Red Wings this season. The second best xGF% is 50.55% from Dylan Larkin. Walman’s 55.15 xGF% ranks 31st among all defenseman this season (500+ TOI).
What This Means for the Future
Detroit sits at a record of 28-23-8 in their first 59 games of the season. The team sits just three points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card spot. Walman has been a huge X-factor to the teams’ success so far, expect him to replicate his play for the next three seasons.
Jake Walman contract extension is great long term. Detroit got a fantastic deal with the current market for defenceman in 2023. With his 5v5 play-driving, Walman could’ve earned a much higher salary. Furthermore, he will be a key piece for the left-side going forward for the Red Wings.
Main Photo: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
