Islanders To Qualify Wahlstrom, Open To Giving Him An Opportunity Elsewhere

After a tough season trying to work his way back from an ACL injury, pending restricted free agent Oliver Wahlstrom will be receiving a qualifying offer from the New York Islanders.

LAS VEGAS -- After a tough season trying to work his way back from an ACL injury, pending restricted free agent Oliver Wahlstrom will be receiving a qualifying offer from the New York Islanders. 

However, it sounds like general manager Lou Lamoriello will do what he can to give him a fresh start elsewhere if an opportunity presents itself. 

"He's been working very hard all summer," Lamoriello said following the conclusion of the 2024 NHL Draft. "And if we can get him an opportunity because it hasn't worked out, [we will], but we're not just going to give him away.

"If you're asking if we are going to qualify him, we certainly will, but if there's a transaction...he's still a hockey player."

The 24-year-old forward, who New York took 11th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, hasn't become the goal-scorer the organization envisioned over five years in the NHL.

Wahlstrom's had chances -- plenty of them -- with three different coaches, his lastest a nine-game stint under head coach Patrick Roy before falling to the bottom of the depth chart. 

There were some thoughts that Wahlstrom could be moved ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, but that didn't happen.

Lamoriello made it clear that they aren't just going to move him for nothing. As for his value, it's probably a late-round pick, as he would be a reclamation project for whatever team takes him on.

Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Chicago Blackhawks fit the bill. 

After showing some promise in the first half othe 2022-23 season, the Maine native missed the entire second half of the regular season with that ACL injury, which disallowed him from training in the summer ahead of the 2023-24 season. 

That impacted contract negotiations last summer, as Wahlstrom had no leverage in talks, as he signed a one-year deal worth $874,125.

Now, a year later, Wahlstrom finds himself in the same position, a pending restricted free agent with an uncertain future. 

"Unfortunately, he went through an injury. It takes a long time to recover," Lamoriello said. "I think he's there, so we'll just wait and see."

The Islanders will likely be sending qualifying offers to RFAs Simon Holmstrom, Ruslan Iskhakov and Dennis Cholowksi, as well as Wahlstrom, with the deadline to do so at 5 PM on June 30.

NHL free agency begins on Monday, July 1.

In 193 career games with the Islanders, Wahlstrom has scored 34 goals with 33 assists.