Ex-Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman is haunting his old team with career-best pace
It was a trade that still puzzles Red Wings fans to this day, especially now that Jake Walman is trending toward career-highs in both goals and assists for the San Jose Sharks.
Detroit Red Wings fans were left searching for an explanation after defenseman Jake Walman was suddenly traded in late June to the San Jose Sharks in return for future considerations.
Even more puzzling was the fact that the Red Wings attached a draft pick to Walman in the trade to San Jose, while getting nothing in return.
To make matters worse, Walman is doing everything possible to make sure that his old club regrets ditching him.
His four goals and 13 assists for 17 points would lead all Red Wings defensemen in scoring, and he's also on track to for a career-bests in points; if he continues at his current pace, he'll score 13G with 41A.
Not only were Red Wings fans stunned by the trade, but Walman admitted that he was heartbroken by the move.
I wanted to bring that success and passion to Detroit. It was my first time, like I've said to you before, that I felt like I was in a place that loved me, and I loved that place.
While many believed that his trade was the first domino falling in an effort to make a major addition on the blue line (New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba comes to mind), the Red Wings made only minimal additions.
Not only did Detroit lose Walman, but Shayne Gostisbehere departed via free agency, returning to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Red Wings only added Erik Gustafsson, and he's already drawn the ire of Detroit fans by routinely being caught out of position; he's also been designated a healthy scratch on several occasions.
| POLL | ||
Do you believe the Red Wings regret sending Walman to San Jose given his pace to hit career-highs in goals/assists? | ||
| Yes, they could use his offensive touch now | 51 | 72.9 % |
| No, there was something going on behind the scenes | 19 | 27.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
