Trotz All NHL clubs had until 5 PM ET on Friday to tender qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. Here's who the New York Islanders chose. The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-josh-bailey-semyon-varlamov-scott-mayfield-pierre-engvall-oliver-wahlstrom] have chosen to tender qualifying offers to 23-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/oliver-wahlstrom-new-york-islanders-knee-injury-season-ending-training-camp] and Jakub Skarek [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/189765/jakub-skarek], per Newsday's Andrew Gross [https://twitter.com/AGrossNewsday/status/1674891724802387970]. We will update when these two players signed their qualifying offers. Note: I confirmed with Islanders that Parker Wotherspoon is a Group 6 UFA and was not eligible for a qualifying offer. Group 6 UFA means he didn't play enough games (less than 80) before turning 25. To free agency goes defenseman Bode Wilde and forwards Blade Jenkins and Collin Adams. The upcoming 2023-24 season serves as proof-it years for both Wahlstrom and Skarek. Wahlstrom took strides this past season before a lower-body injury ended his season in late December. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 has yet to become the consistent sniper the Islanders expect of him, but that doesn't mean he can't still live up to expectations. For Skarek, he really hasn't developed much in his time with the organization, finishing last season with a sub .900 save percentage, allowing over 3.30 goals per game. However, with veteran netminder Cory Schneider likely on his way to Europe (Lamoriello could not confirm), Skarek will have a chance to battle it out with Tristan Lenno [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/397862/tristan-lennox]x for playing time with Bridgeport as he graduates from the OHL.
