It’s been a long road back for New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom, but that road doesn’t end just because preseason play has.
It's been a long road back for New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom, but that road doesn't end just because preseason play has.
Injuring his ACL in late December, all Wahlstrom could do, outside of rehabbing, was wait for the opportunity to lace the skates up again.
Getting back on the ice during the summer was a positive step in the right direction, but Wahlstrom and the Islanders knew it wouldn't be as simple as just getting a few preseason reps for him to feel completely comfortable.
That's not to say it's taken longer than expected for Wahlstrom to get back up to speed. That's just the reality of the situation as preseason play comes to an end.
Timing has been the biggest issue for Wahlstrom since training camp opened up, as nothing can prepare a player for the speed, the pressure, and the grind of NHL action.
Through Wahlstrom's first few preseason games, he seemed a step or two behind, playing predominantly alongside prospects and depth forwards.
Whether that was head coach Lane Lambert's way of asking Wahlstrom to stand out and be the guy on his line or truly just wanting him to get reps while allowing other lines to build chemistry, we never saw Wahlstrom make that one standout play that shows he's ready.
Wahlstrom did look better in the Islanders' 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils Friday night to conclude postseason play, getting reps alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and then Brock Nelson.
His passing was improving, his decision-making was a bit faster, but outside of a few power-play one-timers, we haven't seen him create time and space with his legs to create shooting lanes and show off that lethal shot.
"Pace is getting back. Timings getting back," Wahlstrom said. "So I just gotta learn to be patient. So, just go from there and stick to that rehab process and keep getting stronger."
Wahlstrom continued: "Obviously, I've never gone through anything like this. Where I was eight months ago, it was pretty crazy, so I just gotta keep a level with injuries like this. I just gotta get the timing back, legs back, and that's the most important thing right now."
Getting back to 100 percent isn't as easy as snapping the finger, but Wahlstrom has kept his head high throughout the process.
"I'm trying to get back to myself, but doctors, surgeons... everyone says it's gonna be a little challenging, soreness, but I'm fine and just work on it every day," Wahlstrom concluded.
If this were any other training camp, Wahlstrom would likely not be worrying about a starting gig, but with the way free agent signing Julien Gauthier has played, with Hudson Fasching (day-to-day) back on a two-year deal playing well, and Simon Holmstrom being given every chance to stick on the Islanders' top line, there's a real strong chance Wahlstrom doesn't win a starting job come Oct. 14, when the Islanders host the Buffalo Sabres to kick off the 2023-24 regular season.
"It looks like he's still trying to find his way a little bit from a speed standpoint," Lambert said Friday night.
There's a few ways to solve that issue.
"We have a week, a good practice, and he has to continue to solve that," Lambert said. "And then, when he gets his opportunity, we have to see him at game speed."
When Wahlstrom is back up to speed, he's a player who wants to be a power forward and showed in the first half of 2023-24 that he has that ability.
The 22-year-old has an elite shot, and as Lambert said, when he gets his opportunity, whenever that may be, the Islanders will need him to produce and be a vital piece of the winning equation in the battle for a playoff spot.