Wahlstrom hasn't developed into the lethal goal scorer the Islanders envisioned, but the emergence of one area of his game is why he is slated to be a starter on opening night.
Wahlstrom hasn't developed into the lethal goal scorer the Islanders envisioned, but the emergence of one area of his game is why he is slated to be a starter on opening night.
ELMONT, NY — The odds of Oliver Wahlstrom making the New York Islanders' 2024-25 roster seemed slim to none this summer.
After a failed nine-game stint under head coach Patrick Roy last season, followed by him being a non-option down the stretch and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Wahlstrom seemed destined to be elsewhere.
That's what Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told us in Las Vegas following the 2024 NHL Draft.
"Wahlstrom'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."
On Oct. 7, Wahlstrom not only remains on Long Island, surviving the final round of cuts but he's also slated to start opening night alongside Kyle MacLean and Casey Cizikas in more of a Cal Clutterbuck role.
No, Wahlstrom isn't the physical, terrifying presence that No. 15 was when he hit the ice, but the 24-year-old has grit, has size, and has added that physical presence.
And like Clutterbuck, he has that quick release.
But Clutterbuck's role wasn't offense. He and the identity line's role was to get in on the forecheck and shut down the opponent's best.
But with the makeup of the new fourth line, their role isn't just defense. It's producing offensively as well, and that's the main reason why Roy has him on the fourth line and not a player like Hudson Fasching, who landed on waivers.
"I like Wahlstrom's scoring touch," Roy said Sunday afternoon. "I like the way he played against the Rangers on Friday. I like his training camp overall. He's a guy that has a scoring touch. He's been playing very well defensively. I really hope that Casey Cizikas and Kyle MacLean rub off on him.
"I hope they're going to help him bring his game to another level, which is probably what he wants."
When the Islanders drafted Wahlstrom 11th overall in 2018, they thought they were getting an elite goal scorer who could play a top-six role.
Six years later, Wahlstrom isn't that player, but he has molded his game enough that the Islanders feel comfortable with him playing in a bottom-six role while also contributing offensively.
"That's the good thing about Wahlstrom. He can contribute in both areas because of the way he plays," Lamoriello shared on Sunday. "He can also be physical."
In 193 NHL games, Wahlstrom has recorded 253 hits, which comes out to 1.31 hits per game.
Wahlstrom has been pretty honest with us since training camp opened about how he came in with no expectations other than playing his game.
After it was clear that he made the roster, we spoke with him about his new role on the fourth line.
The one thing that stood out is that Wahlstrom understands clearly what his new linemates bring and how he has to do what he can to help bring the best out of them.
"I think the main goal for me is just stick to my game. I think no matter what line I'm playing on, I always want to bring it, you know?" Wahlstrom said. "I want to bring the offensive, the flare back for MacLean and Cizikas. MacLean is a really, really good skater. He creates things, and then Cizikas gets in hard on fore-checks. So, for me, it's finding those open areas and continuing to play my offensive style and play fast.
"You can't get caught up on where you're playing. You got to stick to your identity."
Because Wahlstrom was known as a goal scorer, his physicality certainly wasn't a part of his game we were talking about a few years ago.
But that gritty game has always been there, and it's the reason why he's going to be in the opening night starting lineup on Thursday when the Islanders host the Utah Hockey Club.
"I think I've always had that physicality," Wahlstrom said. "It opens up things for me. My focus is on winning all those battles because I want the puck on my stick, and I know I stay consistent with that. It doesn't matter where I'm playing. I know I can create chances and produce."
There's a few days to go before opening night, so things can certainly change regarding the lineup.
Wahlstrom has taken a page out of Matt Martin's playbook, sharing that he's taking things day by day.
"I'm happy with my camp. I'm just going to continue to stick with the things I'm working on and go from there," Wahlstrom said. "I'm a day-to-day person, so I just have to focus on that. And I come to the rink and have a blast. That's the main thing.'
Wahlstrom may still be a kid at heart, but he's a more mature player than he was when he broke into the NHL, which has allowed him to have level head when it comes to his approach ahead of a season.
"You got to look yourself in the mirror and just take steps," Wahlstrom said. "When you're younger, you want more things, and you're focused on exterior things and things you can't control.
"I've learned and grown up. You just have to come to the rink every day. I'm blessed to be able to be a part of this squad. And, just to be in the NHL, you got to look at it that way [...] I'm excited to help this team."