Stan Fischler's Penguin Joke After no announcement came on Saturday once the deadline came for restricted free agents to sign their qualifying offers, there were questions surrounding New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/islanders-legends-stan-fischler-john-tonelli-inducted-nys-hockey-hall-of-fame] forward Oliver Wahlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/oliver-wahlstrom-new-york-islanders-knee-injury-season-ending-training-camp]. However, in Lou Lamoriello fashion, the Islanders announced on Monday that Wahlstrom had agreed to a one-year deal. A league source confirmed he signed his qualifying offer. Wahlstrom's qualifying offer was $874,125, a tad lower than his cap hit for the 2022-23 campaign, at $894,167. The 22-year-old played in 35 games this past season, with seven goals and nine assists before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late December. Wahlstrom and Lamoriello have both said that he will be 100 percent ready for training camp. This deal will serve as a prove-it deal, as we still have to see if Wahlstrom can be a top-six player in this league or if he is a bottom-six role player. The Islanders were against the cap before this signing, but teams can exceed the cap ceiling by 10 percent until game one of the upcoming season. The club will have to make moves, most likely sending players to the minors, whether it's via waivers or options.
