Oliver Wahlstrom and the Islanders agree to one-year deal
Oliver Wahlstrom of the New York Islanders. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Islanders avoided arbitration with restricted free agent Oliver Wahlstrom on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million deal with the sharpshooter. But that doesn’t guarantee the former first-rounder will remain in the organization this coming season.
In fact, having Wahlstrom signed to a deal may make it easier for president/general manager Lou Lamoriello to trade the 24-year-old to get him a fresh start, something both sides have at least hinted might be a best-case scenario.
Wahlstrom, once projected to be a top-six wing because of his shooting ability, had two goals and four assists in 32 games after suffering a torn ACL midway through the 2022-23 season. But he quickly fell out of the rotation after Patrick Roy took over as coach on Jan. 20, dressing for just one game after Feb. 24.
His arbitration hearing was set for next Thursday.
Even if he’s not traded – and Lamoriello indicated in June he would not give Wahlstrom away for nothing – Wahlstrom may be hard pressed to make the Islanders’ initial roster out of training camp. Lamoriello signed Maxim Tsyplakov, a potential middle-six wing, out of the KHL, and unrestricted free agent Anthony Duclair as a potential top-line wing. Plus, former first-rounder Liam Foudy was signed for organizational depth.
The Islanders are now $950,000 over the $88 million salary cap ceiling, which can be exceeded by 10% until the season begins.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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