Stefen Rosner and Rachel Doerrie of The Hockey News discuss New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom as he has signed his qualifying offer. Is Oliver Wahlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/oliver-wahlstrom-new-york-islanders-growth-lineup-roster-2023-24-forward] the answer to the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/zach-parise-new-york-islanders-hudson-fasching-simon-holmstrom] scoring prayers? That's a question bruited about these days from Mineola to Montauk; and so should it be. READ MORE: Wahlstrom Development & Decisions [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/oliver-wahlstrom-new-york-islanders-growth-lineup-roster-2023-24-forward] All hands seem to agree that the promising right wing who scored 13 goals in 73 games during the 2021-22 season could significantly fill a glaring red light gap. Not that there aren't other grenadiers available at the UBS arsenal. The Hockey News "Future Watch, 2023" listed a half-dozen Isles' potential offensive assets, as follows. (The author-evaluator, by the way, was Matt Caputo [https://twitter.com/MattCaputo].) 1. WILLIAM DUFOUR The 6-2 215-pound right wing leads the list is arresting when one considers that he was the club's 152nd overall pick in the 2020 Draft. Skating has been a bugaboo of the fifth-rounder. Lou Lamoriello calls Dufour a "late-bloomer." However, Lou cautions that he's not sure when Dufour will be NHL-ready. A good training camp won't hurt. READ MORE: Islanders Prospect William Dufour to Participate in NHLPA Rookie [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/william-dufour-new-york-islanders-nhl-pa-rookie-showcase-pro-season] Showcase [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/william-dufour-new-york-islanders-nhl-pa-rookie-showcase-pro-season] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. RUSLAN ISKHAKOV Almost tiny at 5-9 165 pounds, Iskhakov, a center, gets a solid push from Caputo, who observes, "He might be the Islanders' most NHL-ready prospect as a scorer and playmaker." Lou likes him as one "with tremendous offensive instincts and skills. He'll play in the NHL. It's just getting the opportunity and adjusting to the pace." READ MORE: Terry Provides Insight into Islanders Prospects Dufour & Iskhakov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-william-dufour-ruslan-iskhakov-chris-terry-bridgeport] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. QUINN FINLEY Plucked 78th overall in the 2022 Draft, the left-wing honed his game to sharpness with Chicago of the USHL. "He's a high I.Q. player," says Caputo. "He uses speed and strong stickhandling skills to his advantage. Quinn is mature beyond his years and attacks the net in different ways." Lou adds that "his potential is unlimited, and it's just a question of how quickly he activates it." READ MORE: Islanders Prospect Quinn Finley Invited to 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/new-york-islanders-prospect-quinn-finley-invited-to-2023-world-junior-summer-showcase] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. MATTHEW MAGGIO The 20-year-old graduate of OHL Windsor is a right wing with an exceptional scoring touch. Picked 142nd in the 2022 Draft, Double M collected 88 points in 52 games. It seems only a matter of time before he gets a shot, especially since Josh Bailey's exit has created a gap on the right side. READ MORE: Catching Up With Islanders Prospect Matthew Maggio [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-prospect-matthew-maggio-windsor-spitfires-bridgeport-islanders] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. ALEX JEFFRIES: Hockey East was Lou Lamoriello's creation when The Boss still was running the Providence U hockey team. Now Lou has a Hockey East grad in the 6-0, 190-pound portsider. A playmaker, Jeffries -- according to Matt Caputo -- "is coming off a dominant junior season at the NCAA level." He was picked 121st in the 2020 Draft. READ MORE: Jefferies Will Return to Merrimack for Senior Season [https://www.themackreport.com/p/jefferies-will-return-to-merrimack] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. EETU LIUKAS: This left wing out of Finland's best league is said to have an "edge" to his game. Virtually forgotten at 157th overall in the 2021 Draft, the big guy rates as a sleeper in every possible way. Then again, every once in a while, a sleeper becomes a star. READ MORE: Islanders Sign Liukas [https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-sign-liukas/c-344766970]
