Thoughts After Wahlstrom Gets Claimed By Boston
Wahlstrom's time with the Islanders wasn't as complicated as it may seem.
JFK — On Saturday, New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom was claimed off waivers by the Boston Bruins, ending his six-year stint on Long Island.
His time with the Islanders may seem complicated. He dealt with three different coaches and a torn ACL and was asked to play a role that just wasn’t right for him.
But his story is also a simple one.
It’s the cliche that every athlete lives by.
When you get a chance, you must make the most of it. Wahlstrom never did.
He was a great kid in the locker room, was loved by his Isles teammates, and was a player who worked incredibly hard regardless of the situation, always trying to make the most of it.
Promise and stretches showed he could be a force for the team, but ultimately, when it came down to it, he never rose to the occasion enough. When he had shooting lanes, his accuracy failed him. When he started to show an understanding of the defensive structure, a mistake or two would happen that reset the growth.
Wahlstrom’s story also shows the shift in today’s NHL, something many young players have struggled with. This was a league built on physical and heavy shots before it took a shift to speed and skill.
The Maine native was caught in between. He wanted to be physical and throw his weight around. He has that elite shot, but his struggles with hockey IQ were what put him on the outside looking.
And you see that with a ton of talented young players now. They lack the IQ that’s needed to be consistently strong in the National Hockey League.
The Bruins are currently holding down the third seed in the Atlantic Division, and Wahlstrom will look to make an impact there. He will likely be on their roster because if they want to send him to Providence (AHL), he would need to go on waivers again.
Can the 24-year-old 11th overall pick in 2018 become a consistent NHLer in Beantown?
A fresh start, a new opportunity was needed.
The shock of all of this is how long it took as GM Lou Lamoriello told us at the 2024 NHL Draft that he was trying to find Wahlstrom a new spot. But, no takers on the trade market were willing to give the Islanders enough where a trade made sense.
The Islanders play Wahlstrom — if he sticks — on Jan. 5 in Boston, a 6 PM ET start.
Skate before a game at The Park at UBS Arena (click image for details):
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
One thing is for sure Patty doesn’t want guys in the room that can’t help the team WIN! No Passengers message works! Wouldn’t be surprised if team starts winning more consistently. However my concern is the big picture can this team beat playoff teams, is there enough talent and the window is either closed or nearly closed on an aging roster. Lou is hoping we have a 1972 Washington Redskins Over the Hill Gang run. Remotely Possibly but highly unlikely, then what? This is Lou’s last stand, as GM. Patrick should be calling the Hockey Ops shots, I have no problem with Lou imparting wisdom as the Administration Guy.
Wally is very often injured or banged up throughout his short career (not including his ACL). Islanders were desperate when they originally brought him up. He never truly earned a spot in the NHL, the islanders were hoping he could provide offense. His one year in college was very average, same as his time at Bridgeport. I’m not dumping on the guy these are facts. He never produced the numbers after leaving the USA program. Why? He has always been the Big Fish in the small pond as you go up the ladder the competition gets better and better. Wally’s all around abilities are not NHL standards.
Does he look better with Boston I don’t think so after the initial excitement wears off. The NHL is a global game and he is not good enough and has proven to be brittle. Say what you want about Lou but the kid got a more than fair opportunity. It was an easy call to put him on waivers, honestly he did nothing to earn his roster spot this year. As for Engvall he most likely will never wear an Islanders uniform again. If I was him I would call Adam Oates and hire him. Then ask the Islanders for an approved LOA to work with Oates. Engvall is not going to get anything out of Bridgeport. I don’t know if a player like that can change. He is afraid of the NHL play style, he is skating like it’s the Swedish league. Maybe he isn’t interested in being more than he is. He might be happy he got the bag from Lou and go back to Europe to be a Super Model. You can’t teach a player to be hungry regardless of skill level. He most likely won’t call an Oates because in his mind his game is fine and he is misunderstood.