Missing Islanders Top-Six Forward Could Be Lurking In The Pacific

The Islanders don't have the salary-cap space to go big-game fishing, but could a top-six forward that fits their budget be lurking in the Pacific Division?

New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom has been the subject of trade talks for quite some time now.

After struggling to progress under former head coach Barry Trotz and then getting little to no time to grow under Lane Lambert due to an ACL injury and a crowded bottom six, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello and new head coach Patrick Roy have given him the opportunity. 

Under Roy, a nine-game sample, Wahlstrom has one assist, which came after winning a face-off after Jean-Gabriel Pageau was thrown out in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 27

But after that ninth game, Wahlstrom was back out of the lineup,

Lamoriello shared some words on Wahlstrom Tuesday morning, as the belief in the 23-year-old is still there. 

Wahlstrom was drafted 11th overall in 2018 to be a top-six goal scorer and has yet to show signs that he can become that at this point through his five years in the NHL.

And that's not a knock on Wahlstrom, as he could, at 23, figure it out. 

In 192 career games, the Maine native has 34 goals, with two in 31 games this season. 

With Hudson Fasching and Julien Gauthier receiving multi-year deals, with Simon Holmstrom developing into a legitimate shutdown forward, and Kyle MacLean showing signs of being that kind of player as well, does Wahlstrom have a future in New York's bottom six?

The Islanders had a chance to lock Wahlstrom up on a multi-year deal this past summer but elected to tender him his qualifying offer, signing a one-year deal worth $874,125. 

"Honestly, I kind of knew what I was gonna get," Wahlstrom told The Hockey News back at the start of training camp. "There are some things you'd like, but at the end of the day, I missed half a year, and you got to look at it from both sides.

"It was tough to hear that, just one year. But at the end of the day, I was happy with the Islanders and happy to come back."

To Wahlstrom's credit, all he's done since returning from the ACL injury is work his tail off to get back to the game we saw in the first half of the 2022-23 season. 

He scored seven goals in 35 games and was on pace for over 16 goals, which would have been a new career high. 

Given the crowd in the top six, it just doesn't seem like there's a path for Wahlstrom to get up there at any point in the near future, and a change of scenery may allow him that opportunity since his game fits a top-six role significantly better than the one he is playing right now. 

Could Lamoriello give Wahlstrom a chance elsewhere while also helping the Islanders?

Look no further than the San Jose Sharks, who are lurking on the ocean floor of the Pacific...Division. 

The Islanders could use more speed in their lineup, and a player like pending unrestricted free agent forward Anthony Duclair could fit the bill. 

Duclair has 16 goals and 11 assists in 56 games playing on their top line and is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $3 million.

He's caught fire, with five goals and three assists in his last four games. 

Duclair's speed will always be an asset, and his ability to play both wing positions offers him more opportunities. 

The forward will likely be on the move, and if the Islanders wanted to allow Wahlstrom to spread his wings and be a top-six player, the Sharks are likely interested in bringing on a young forward, given their rebuild status.

But here's another reason why Duclair to Long Island makes sense.

He played his junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts, with Patrick Roy as his head coach for two years, with 51 goals and 65 assists in 118 games.

“He’s a very intense guy,” Duclair said. "He loves the game, and he has a lot of passion. It’s the same old Pat, I don’t think he’s going to change for anyone.

“But that’s what makes him so successful. Probably when he played, too, he was obviously a passionate guy, and he just really cared about the game. He is a guy who is in the Hall of Fame, has made a bunch of money, and he doesn’t have to come back, but he wants to do it.” (H/t SJ Hockey Now's Sheng Peng). 

Duclair appreciated his two years under Roy. 

”I was grateful to have that experience, especially at a young age,” Duclair said “It definitely helped to have a mentor like that coming into junior for sure (H/t) SJ Hockey Now's Sheng Peng).

The Duke played in the New York market before, suiting up for 18 games with the Rangers in 2014-15 after being drafted by them in the third round (No. 80) of the 2013 NHL Draft. 

The now 28-year-old speedster has played for seven teams throughout a 10-year career, and although the numbers this season aren't great, he's just two seasons removed from scoring 31 goals in 2021-22 with the Florida Panthers.

The Islanders' offense isn't weak by any means. With defenseman Scott Mayfield on long-term injured reserve; the Islanders now have the cap space ($1.58 million) to add Duclair if money is retained. 

But for the price of Wahlstrom, and if need be, a fourth or fifth-round pick, the Islanders could bring in more speed, a need in Roy's system, and extend Duclair on a multi-year deal that carries an annual cap hit between $2-$3 million. 

Mat Barzal has openly discussed how he rather play left-wing because it allows him to cross over the blue line on his backhand, which -- with his speed and edgework -- would allow him to blow by defenders and peel back on his forehand if he wanted. 

Could Duclair skate on Bo Horvat's right?

Barzal-Horvat-Duclair

Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri

Lee-Pageau-Palmieri

MacLean-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

OR

Nelson-Horvat-Barzal

Lee-Pageau-Palmieri

Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom

Duclair-MacLean-Clutterbuck

The Islanders have won four straight games with their new-look lineup so it will be interesting to see if Lamoriello does elect to make a move or stand pat.

The Islanders battle the San Jose Sharks tonight at 10:30 PM ET, before Friday's 2024 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 PM ET.