Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I&#8217;ve got a post-draft, pre-free agency mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever&#8217;s on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing Jake Walman&#8217;s next contract, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chasing 1000 games, Ty Emberson, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_175474" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-175474" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-175474" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-175474" class="wp-caption-text">May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Allan asks &#8211; Walman’s value will go up on <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/projecting-jake-walman-extension-edmonton-oilers">his next contract</a>, but what’s a fair long-term offer given his two-way game?
Jason Gregor:
Five years would be a good term and an AAV between $5.75-6.4m seems fair to me.
Liam Horrobin:
I&#8217;d do my best, if I were management, to give him the $6 million that&#8217;ll come off from Mattias Ekholm next summer. He&#8217;s already 30, so I wouldn&#8217;t want to go more than six years either.
Baggedmilk:
If you could get him sub-$6 million on the extension for four years I think that would be perfect. He turns 30 in February and I&#8217;m more concerned about the term on him than I am the money.
<figure id="attachment_172127" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-172127" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-172127" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck-1024x682.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins handles the puck" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck.jpg 1421w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-172127" class="wp-caption-text">Dec 7, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) looks to make a pass in front of against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
2) Tim asks &#8211; If all goes well, <a href="http://oilersnation.com/news/every-head-coach-ryan-nught-hopkins-nhl-career-edmonton-oilers">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a> will hit 1000 games played for the Oilers this coming season. What legacy has RNH built in Edmonton since being selected first overall in 2011?
Jason Gregor:
A very solid player. He is better on the PP than at 5&#215;5, but also solid on the PK. The fact he isn’t afraid to drop the mitts once every few years, and do well, has endeared him to many fans. He will join Kevin Lowe as the only players to play 1000 games as an Oiler, and if he plays 79 games he will pass Lowe for most games played (1,038). RNH was never the best player on the team, and at times underwhelming at 5&#215;5, but he’s had an very good career with the Oilers.
Liam Horrobin:
The player who stuck around when everyone left and he found success because of that. He&#8217;s the guy you never have to worry about because you know he&#8217;ll show up one way or another.
Baggedmilk:
A jack of all trades that can (and does) play in all situations, and he did it without so much as a complaint even during the hardest seasons in franchise history. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may not be the statistical GOAT, but he&#8217;s a spiritual version in every possible way.
<figure id="attachment_166042" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166042" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-166042" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Ty Emberson" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166042" class="wp-caption-text">Dec 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Jakub Lauko (94) and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson (49) fight in the first period at Xcel Energy Center.</figcaption></figure>
3) Yves asks &#8211; What do you expect from <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ty-emberson-has-room-grow-2024-25-edmonton-oilers-player-review">Ty Emberson</a> in his second season with the Oilers after getting replaced in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> in the playoffs?
Jason Gregor:
He will need to move the puck quicker. He got hit way too much for a player who doesn’t play that many minutes. He needs to come into camp and show Mark Stuart he deserves to be on the first unit PK. The Oilers desperately need a RD who can be reliable on the PK. Bouchard did quite well in the playoffs, but he can’t be on the top PK and PP unit.
Liam Horrobin:
I expect he&#8217;ll be the 6th/7th defenceman again and will be a dependable everyday player. I also wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if they upgrade on his position, again, at the deadline.
Baggedmilk:
I expect that he continues developing into an every-day shutdown defenceman. He needs to work on his puck movement to be truly effective as he tends to hang onto the puck for a split second too long more often than we&#8217;d like.
<figure id="attachment_178718" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-178718" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-178718" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-178718" class="wp-caption-text">May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) shoots against the stick of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) during the second period of game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
4) Mason asks &#8211; How do you see the Pacific Division? It doesn&#8217;t seem like many teams got much better even with Marner ending up in Vegas, they got a major blow to their back end with Pietrangelo being out.
Jason Gregor:
I expect Edmonton and Vegas to battle for first. LA will be close as well and if Vancouver stays healthy they will be in the mix. Calgary had a great year last year, but I think they will hard-pressed to match the 96 points they had last year. I think Anaheim will take a big jump and be in the playoff mix. Seattle and San Jose will be the bottom two teams.
Liam Horrobin:
Edmonton and Vegas compete for the division, LA finishes comfortably in third, and the Anaheim Ducks push Vancouver for a 4th/wildcard spot.
Baggedmilk:
Edmonton and Vegas are the two big horses in the Pacific Division. I&#8217;m mostly intrigued by Calgary because of how close they got to making the post-season last year, and I think they can get in if Dustin Wolf keeps playing as well as he did in 2024-25.
<figure id="attachment_176931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-176931" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-176931" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers fan believe sign" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-176931" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers fan is holding a sign in the stands during the third period between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
5) Grant asks &#8211; Complete the sentence: “This offseason, what matters most for the Oilers is _______.”
Jason Gregor:
Staying healthy. No off-season injuries.
Liam Horrobin:
They didn&#8217;t overspend on a garbage free agency class.
Baggedmilk:
Getting the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/connor-mcdavid-contract-extension-projection-edmonton-oilers">McDavid extension done</a>, so we can stop hearing about it.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I've got a post-draft, pre-free agency mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever's on your mind. This week, we're discussing Jake Walman's next contract, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chasing 1000 games, Ty Emberson, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_175474" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-175474" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" /> May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Allan asks - Walman’s value will go up on <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/projecting-jake-walman-extension-edmonton-oilers">his next contract</a>, but what’s a fair long-term offer given his two-way game?

Jason Gregor:

Five years would be a good term and an AAV between $5.75-6.4m seems fair to me.

Liam Horrobin:

I'd do my best, if I were management, to give him the $6 million that'll come off from Mattias Ekholm next summer. He's already 30, so I wouldn't want to go more than six years either.

Baggedmilk:

If you could get him sub-$6 million on the extension for four years I think that would be perfect. He turns 30 in February and I'm more concerned about the term on him than I am the money.

[caption id="attachment_172127" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-172127" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Edmonton-Oilers-Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins-handles-the-puck-1024x682.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins handles the puck" width="1024" height="682" /> Dec 7, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) looks to make a pass in front of against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

2) Tim asks - If all goes well, <a href="http://oilersnation.com/news/every-head-coach-ryan-nught-hopkins-nhl-career-edmonton-oilers">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a> will hit 1000 games played for the Oilers this coming season. What legacy has RNH built in Edmonton since being selected first overall in 2011?

Jason Gregor:

A very solid player. He is better on the PP than at 5x5, but also solid on the PK. The fact he isn’t afraid to drop the mitts once every few years, and do well, has endeared him to many fans. He will join Kevin Lowe as the only players to play 1000 games as an Oiler, and if he plays 79 games he will pass Lowe for most games played (1,038). RNH was never the best player on the team, and at times underwhelming at 5x5, but he’s had an very good career with the Oilers.

Liam Horrobin:

The player who stuck around when everyone left and he found success because of that. He's the guy you never have to worry about because you know he'll show up one way or another.

Baggedmilk:

A jack of all trades that can (and does) play in all situations, and he did it without so much as a complaint even during the hardest seasons in franchise history. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may not be the statistical GOAT, but he's a spiritual version in every possible way.

[caption id="attachment_166042" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-166042" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24973069-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Ty Emberson" width="1024" height="683" /> Dec 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Jakub Lauko (94) and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson (49) fight in the first period at Xcel Energy Center.[/caption]

3) Yves asks - What do you expect from <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/ty-emberson-has-room-grow-2024-25-edmonton-oilers-player-review">Ty Emberson</a> in his second season with the Oilers after getting replaced in <a href="https://oilersnation.com/combinations">the lineup</a> in the playoffs?

Jason Gregor:

He will need to move the puck quicker. He got hit way too much for a player who doesn’t play that many minutes. He needs to come into camp and show Mark Stuart he deserves to be on the first unit PK. The Oilers desperately need a RD who can be reliable on the PK. Bouchard did quite well in the playoffs, but he can’t be on the top PK and PP unit.

Liam Horrobin:

I expect he'll be the 6th/7th defenceman again and will be a dependable everyday player. I also wouldn't be surprised if they upgrade on his position, again, at the deadline.

Baggedmilk:

I expect that he continues developing into an every-day shutdown defenceman. He needs to work on his puck movement to be truly effective as he tends to hang onto the puck for a split second too long more often than we'd like.

[caption id="attachment_178718" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-178718" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26109567-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" /> May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) shoots against the stick of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) during the second period of game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images[/caption]

4) Mason asks - How do you see the Pacific Division? It doesn't seem like many teams got much better even with Marner ending up in Vegas, they got a major blow to their back end with Pietrangelo being out.

Jason Gregor:

I expect Edmonton and Vegas to battle for first. LA will be close as well and if Vancouver stays healthy they will be in the mix. Calgary had a great year last year, but I think they will hard-pressed to match the 96 points they had last year. I think Anaheim will take a big jump and be in the playoff mix. Seattle and San Jose will be the bottom two teams.

Liam Horrobin:

Edmonton and Vegas compete for the division, LA finishes comfortably in third, and the Anaheim Ducks push Vancouver for a 4th/wildcard spot.

Baggedmilk:

Edmonton and Vegas are the two big horses in the Pacific Division. I'm mostly intrigued by Calgary because of how close they got to making the post-season last year, and I think they can get in if Dustin Wolf keeps playing as well as he did in 2024-25.

[caption id="attachment_176931" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-176931" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_26460092_168383996_lowres-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers fan believe sign" width="1024" height="683" /> Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers fan is holding a sign in the stands during the third period between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images[/caption]

5) Grant asks - Complete the sentence: “This offseason, what matters most for the Oilers is _______.”

Jason Gregor:

Staying healthy. No off-season injuries.

Liam Horrobin:

They didn't overspend on a garbage free agency class.

Baggedmilk:

Getting the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/connor-mcdavid-contract-extension-projection-edmonton-oilers">McDavid extension done</a>, so we can stop hearing about it.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

Monday Mailbag: What do you expect from Ty Emberson in second season with the Oilers?

‘What the future holds, I don’t know’: Agent for McDavid, Matthews downplays potential idea of both playing for same NHL team

A strong start to the year and the Oilers empty net struggles

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