The Daily: Walman’s Missteps Prove Costly; Red Wings Sign Top Czech Goalie

According to sources close to the Detroit Red Wings, one of the reasons behind the departure of defenseman Jake Walman from the team was that GM Steve Yzerman wasn’t enamored with some of Walman’s extra-curricular activities.

Was it the only reason for his trade to the San Jose Sharks? No. Was is the driving force leading to the deal? Hardly.

However, if you think it wasn’t playing a role, you really haven’t been paying attention to how Yzerman chooses to carry himself in the NHL, both as a player and now as an executive.

Yzerman was never seeking to stand out in the crowd. He may have been given rock star-level adulation from the Detroit fan base, but his objective was simply to be viewed as a hockey player, a cog in the wheel. It was never about him. He was always putting team ahead of self.

As a GM, he’s sought out players who view the game in similar fashion. Those making the choice to purposely draw attention to themselves would find themselves leaving his orbit.

Watching the way Edmonton Oilers defenseman Walman has become a focal point of the Stanley Cup finals, he’s displaying exactly the type of antics that would leave Yzerman frowning. During Game 1, he was caught on camera laughing at Tomas Nosek after the Florida Panthers forward and ex-Red Wings player was taking the penalty that would lead to Edmonton’s game winner.

Jake Walman has been fined $5,000 for roughing Matthew Tkachuk in Game 3.

Walman has also been fined an additional $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for spraying a water bottle at the Panthers' bench. pic.twitter.com/Ucm5WMur2w

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 10, 2025

Since that moment, the Oilers have lost two in a row for the first time since the first two games of the playoffs. During Edmonton’s 6-1 drubbing in Game 3, the Oilers came unglued and Walman was front and center in the meltdown.

Costly Night For Walman

He began by pummeling Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk with punches to the head while the Florida player was engaging with another Oilers player. After Panthers forward AJ Greer playfully swiped Walman’s glove, Walman’s response was to stand at the Edmonton bench and spray water at the Florida bench.

The NHL was also responding to Walman. On Tuesday, he was receiving a $5,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct for squirting the water at the Panthers bench. The league was assessing him an additional $5,000 fine for roughing Tkachuk.

Red Wings In Case You missed It

• Top Czech free agent goalie Michal Postava has chosen to sign a two-year contract with the Red Wings
• Former Detroit assistant coach Bob Boughner is joining Patrick Roy’s staff with the New York Islanders
• First-round pick Axel Sandin Pellikka is prepping to make a run at a spot on the Red Wings roster next season

Red Wings Extra

Plenty of Red Wings and AHL Grand Rapids Griffins were on hand to participate in the Pro-Am at the Meijer LPGA Celebrity Pro-Am.

Some familiar Griffins and @DetroitRedWings out at the @MeijerLPGA Celebrity Pro-Am today ⛳️🏌️ pic.twitter.com/Fzg4hvMdYE

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) June 10, 2025

The Griffins’ community programs and charitable efforts during the 2024-25 AHL season generated $531,912 for various schools, organizations and nonprofits throughout West Michigan.

Hockey Now Network

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New Jersey: Looking at potential July 1 UFA targets for the Devils.

Vegas: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman pours cold water on William Karlsson trade speculation.