Islanders' Oliver Wahlstrom may have hard time making opening night roster

Much of the attention from the Islanders’ preseason opener centered on the performance of Maxim Tsyplakov, the Russian import who had a highlight-reel assist and seems likely to secure a role among the top 12 forwards. Simon Holmstrom, who could start the season on Brock Nelson’s second line, likewise had a strong outing.

Meanwhile, Oliver Wahlstrom also had an assist in Sunday’s 4-2 road win over the Devils. But he may have a hard time making the opening night roster if Tsyplakov and Holmstrom continue to impress. None of those three forwards are likely to also be in Tuesday night’s preseason lineup against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Wahlstrom, the 11th overall pick in 2018 who struggled last season with two goals and four assists in 32 games as he came back from knee surgery on his ACL, got the puck back to Anders Lee on a give-and-go for the Islanders’ first goal.

“I’m just really working on three things and that’s really what I’m sticking to and going from there,” said Wahlstrom, who agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal as a restricted free agent after president/general manager Lou Lamoriello indicated in the offseason a change of scenery might be beneficial to the sharpshooter if he could find the right deal. “Everything else is out of my control.”

Wahlstrom declined to specify what those “three things” were.

He also wouldn’t share what he discussed with Lamoriello this offseason, other than to say, “We’ve always had good talks.”

Wahlstrom finally seemed to be making strides with his consistency the previous season with seven goals and nine assists in 35 games before injuring his left knee. The recovery was longer than he expected.

“I could actually train like an athlete this summer, which was really nice,” Wahlstrom said. “The knee is actually stronger than the other side. So that’s good. I’m excited and I’m a lot better than I was last year.”

But, besides Tsyplakov and Holmstrom, Wahlstrom also faces competition for NHL playing time from, among others, Hudson Fasching, Julien Gauthier, who was the recipient of Tsyplakov’s deft feed to the right post, and longtime fourth-liner Matt Martin, in training camp on a professional tryout. The Islanders may only be able to keep 13 forwards instead of the usual 14 because of salary-cap concerns.

Wahlstrom would need to clear waivers to be re-assigned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. To avoid that, Wahlstrom must prove he’s a reliable two-way player.

“I didn’t see any problem with that, I thought he did well,” coach Patrick Roy said of Wahlstrom’s 15:02 of ice time on Sunday in which he did not get a shot on goal but neither was he on ice for either of the Devils’ goals. “I felt like he did a good job of positioning himself.”

Notes & quotes: Roy reported goalie Ilya Sorokin (back) is still skating on his own as he recovers from offseason surgery entering the first season of an eight-year, $66 million deal…Mike Reilly did not practice on Monday as Roy reported the defenseman was not feeling well.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

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.