Babcock Delivers Harsh Truth to $49 Million Defenseman

Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock did not mince words when asked about defenseman Jake Walman before Wednesday night’s Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames. With Mattias Ekholm due to return from injury, the Oilers need to make room on defense and they will do so by making Walman a healthy scratch. Babcock’s Blunt Assessment Asked about what would make Walman an every game player for him, Babcock responded, “The same thing for every single player: you earn your opportunity.