Tensions reached a boiling point in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers clashed in a game that will be remembered for more than just the score. In the aftermath of a fiercely contested matchup, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety moved swiftly, handing down unprecedented sanctions that have left both fans and analysts reeling. At the center of the controversy is Oilers defenseman Jake Walman, whose actions on the ice have sparked heated debate across the hockey world.

The league’s official announcement, delivered by Commissioner Gary Bettman, signaled a clear message: unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated, even on hockey’s biggest stage. Walman’s conduct, which included a pair of incidents involving Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida bench, has resulted in a historic fine, raising eyebrows and setting a new precedent in NHL disciplinary action. As the fallout continues and emotions run high on both sides, the spotlight now turns to the Oilers and their embattled defenseman, whose aggressive play has ignited controversy at a critical moment in the championship series. With the stakes higher than ever, the hockey world is watching closely to see what happens next.

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Following last night’s heated game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, Gary Bettman and the NHL have just announced sanctions.

The Oilers are targeted by these sanctions, notably through their defenseman Jake Walman, who receives a $10,000 fine – which appears to be a first in NHL history.. Wow!

See the official announcement.

“Edmonton’s Jake Walman has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for roughing Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk.

Walman has also been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident involving Florida’s bench.”

NHL Department of Player Safety

Jake Walman Receives Historic Fine

The second $5,000 fine is due to the following scene.

As for the other $5,000 fine, it’s due to an act that occurred right in front of Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard’s net, when Walman threw a few punches to the face of Matthew Tkachuk, who was defenseless at the time.

Walman, 29 years old, is a left-handed defenseman standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 218 pounds. He started the season with the San Jose Sharks but was acquired by the Oilers at the trade deadline (in exchange for a prospect and a conditional 2026 first-round pick).

He recorded 32 points in 50 games with the Sharks, as well as 8 points in 15 games with the Oilers this season (8 points in 19 playoff games).

More to come!