EAST MEADOW, NY — Oliver Wahlstrom continues to be a member of the New York Islanders, which is a tad little bit of a shock after what basic supervisor Lou Lamoriello mentioned on the 2024 NHL Draft in Vegas.
“Wahlstrom’s been working very arduous all summer season,” Lamoriello mentioned following the conclusion of the 2024 NHL Draft. “And if we are able to get him a possibility as a result of it hasn’t labored out, [we will], however we’re not simply going to offer him away.”
Related: Islanders To Qualify Wahlstrom, Open To Giving Him An Opportunity Elsewhere
From a participant that appeared destined to be elsewhere, Wahlstrom is now in a battle for one of many remaining roster spots with one preseason sport to go.
“I am very pleased with WahIstrom. He is been taking part in very well,” Islanders head coach Patrick Roy mentioned. “He is taking part in free. He is received a shot. The purpose that he scored in opposition to Jersey on that one-timer…I am very joyful.”
Wahlstrom hasn’t made essentially the most of his ice time since debuting within the 2019-20 season. And a torn ACL in late December of 2022 did not assist issues.
The previous eleventh total choose in 2018 missed out on the complete 2023 summer season to coach, and whereas he was “wholesome” for the beginning of the 2023-24 season, he wasn’t game-ready, struggling to do a lot in his 32 video games of motion (two targets, 4 assists).
When Roy got here aboard on Jan. 30, he shared that he “had time” to work with Wahlstrom, giving him a nine-game pattern measurement earlier than wholesome scratching him the remainder of the common season and the whole lot of their first-round collection in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Related: Here’s What Islanders GM Lamoriello Said About Wahlstrom After Stint In Roy’s Lineup
However after the summer season Wahlstrom simply had, a totally wholesome one to enhance, there are not any extra excuses, and he isn’t in search of any as he tries to make the crew.
“I do not need to put any excuses on final yr and the yr earlier than, however this summer season was enormous. I set to work out like an athlete this yr. I received to simply prepare actually arduous constantly day-after-day, no rehab. And it is an enormous distinction.
“My ACL leg is 100 instances stronger than my proper, and I gotta work on my proper. But it surely’s been good, so I am excited.”
Over the past yr or so, Wahlstrom has tried so as to add a bodily ingredient to his sport. Which will bode effectively for him if he will get an opportunity within the backside six this season.
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Photographs
“Yeah, including physicality is a giant a part of it,” Wahlstrom mentioned. “I discover if I win these battles, I get the puck extra, I get to go down and play extra offense.
“And this complete camp, I solely have been specializing in a few issues and simply controlling what I can management. I do know if I honed in on the 4 or 5 issues I have been engaged on this summer season, I could be a contributor to this crew.”
Confidence was one thing that Lamoriello pointed to concerning Wahlstrom when he received the prospect to showcase one thing below Roy.
After the summer season he had, his confidence stands out as the highest it is ever been.
“Yeah, ‘one hundred pc,” Wahlstrom mentioned on how vital this previous summer season was for his confidence. “I had no expectations coming into this camp apart from the three or 4 issues I needed to concentrate on in my sport,” Wahlstrom mentioned. “Truthfully, you’ll be able to’t take note of what administration’s doing or traces or something. You simply management what you management. I feel that is the most important factor, being a younger participant on this league, is staying in and conserving your cool. I feel that is crucial factor.
“And on the finish of the day, simply get pleasure from it. Have enjoyable. I imply, this sport was constructed for teenagers anyway when it first began. In order that’s the primary factor.”
