THN.com/podcast. Oliver Wahlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk5NDMwNTIyODUyNjE1NTgy/usatsi_19242861.jpg] Oliver Wahlstrom The New York Islanders took care of a key RFA on Monday, re-signing Oliver Wahlstrom [https://puckpedia.com/player/oliver-wahlstrom] to a one-year contract. Contract details weren't revealed in the team announcement, but The Athletic's Kevin Kurz [https://twitter.com/KKurzNHL/status/1681018117810528258?s=20] and THN New York Islanders reporter Stefen Rosner [https://twitter.com/stefen_rosner/status/1681021420095037441?s=20] reported he agreed to his qualifying offer of $874,125. Wahlstrom, 23, is coming off a difficult 2022-23 campaign that ended on Dec. 27 after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The right winger was on pace to set new career highs in goals, assists and points, with seven markers and nine helpers for 16 points in 35 games. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Wahlstrom packs power in his shot and also isn't afraid to get physical when necessary, recording 50 hits in those 35 games last year. Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello said near the end of the season that Wahlstrom is expected to be healthy by training camp. In his career, Wahlstrom has 161 NHL games under his belt with 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points. The Portland, Maine, native was selected 11th overall by the Islanders in the 2018 NHL draft. The 2023-24 season will be a huge chance for the young forward to break out and earn a bigger contract afterward. Longtime Islander Josh Bailey was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks and bought out, potentially opening a right-wing spot in the top half of the lineup despite Bailey being healthy scratched multiple times throughout the year. When Bailey wasn't on the ice during the playoffs, the Islanders mostly rolled with Anders Lee, Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal on the top line and Pierre Engvall, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on the second. Wahlstrom mostly played alongside Barzal and either Bailey or Lee before his injury, so whether they reunite a Lee-Barzal-Wahlstrom line next season with Horvat now in the fold remains to be seen. The Islanders are looking to improve on a first-round playoff exit to the Carolina Hurricanes after finishing the season in the East's first wild-card spot. They had a 42-31-9 record for 93 points, which were 14 points behind the New York Rangers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
