New York Islanders 2018 first-round decide and former prime prospect Oliver Wahlstrom has had a tough begin to his NHL profession. He joined the Islanders full-time in 2020, underwent a training change a number of seasons later, then tore his ACL as soon as he obtained in a groove. Whereas it has been clear for some time he wants a change of surroundings, Islanders’ basic supervisor Lou Lamoriello primarily said Wahlstrom is on the outs following the 2024 NHL Draft.
Assuming Lamoriello follows by way of on his promise, many groups are anticipated to have curiosity in Wahlstrom. He’s a restricted free agent who acquired a qualifying supply, and he has till July 15 to just accept it. He’s doubtless searching for a multi-year deal to supply safety, so a commerce may occur quickly. If it does, who may have curiosity in Wahlstrom and what may a return appear like?
Toronto Maple Leafs
The primary group that would have curiosity is the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ve a lot of their core signed to costly offers, so including Wahlstrom at a wage below $1 million would make a number of sense. His scoring upside could be a pleasant addition to the middle-six, and he would lastly get the chance to play alongside sturdy scoring expertise. On the Islanders, he often performed with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Josh Bailey when wholesome, so enjoying alongside extra offensively gifted forwards like Max Domi or John Tavares within the Maple Leafs’ center six would profit his improvement.
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The Maple Leafs additionally lack draft capital to accumulate most commerce targets, however not Wahlstrom. Resulting from his lack of manufacturing, he wouldn’t value a lot. A mid-round draft decide may very well be sufficient, though it’s unknown if that’s what Lamoriello is searching for. With Nick Robertson a possible commerce chip for Toronto, the 2 groups may swap the previous prime prospects.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators may very well be one other suitor for Wahlstrom. Their backside six was a weak point final season and he may very well be an answer to that. His right-handedness together with an affordable contract would supply an upside the Senators are unlikely to seek out in free company. He would even be becoming a member of a group with a brand new coach, permitting him to make an ideal first impression alongside all returning Senators. No one is doubting Wahlstrom’s skills however quite if he is ready to overcome the psychological hurdles to succeed in the subsequent stage in his NHL journey, the Senators may very well be an ideal match.
The Senators additionally make sense as commerce companions for the Islanders. They’ve 5 third-round picks throughout the subsequent two drafts, permitting the Islanders so as to add a mid-round choice. In addition they have Shane Pinto who would make a number of sense for Lamoriello to herald. He’s younger, a middle, and has offensive upside. Wahlstrom may very well be paired with a protected first-round decide or different belongings to make a deal.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are in a transition part as they handle the useless cash from Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s buyouts. Due to this, they’ve little cash to spend whereas they hope to make the playoffs. Including Wahlstrom’s upside to their center six may very well be a sensible approach to spherical out their offensive core with younger expertise with out sacrificing a useful asset or wage room. Wahlstrom could be an ideal match alongside Joel Eriksson Ek, as he may develop alongside one of many NHL’s premier defensive facilities. Wahlstrom would deliver one other scoring menace to the wing, serving as an influence ahead unafraid of bodily play.
Minnesota possesses two third-round picks and two fourth-round picks within the 2026 Draft. They may doubtlessly assemble a commerce package deal for Wahlstrom utilizing these draft picks or supply a prospect resembling Hunter Haight or David Spacek. The Islanders could be inclined to take a package deal from Minnesota since they’re within the opposing convention.
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have proven a willingness to tackle reclamation tasks, evident of their acquisitions of Barclay Goodrow, Filip Zadina, Ty Dellandrea, Carl Grundstrom, and Jake Walman in latest seasons. From right here, they could as effectively take an opportunity on Wahlstrom as they proceed their rebuild.
A package deal may resemble what the Wild would supply, consisting of assorted mid-round draft picks. Though San Jose lacks a third-round decide till the 2028 Draft, they possess adequate draft capital in different rounds to make a deal. Nonetheless, they may very well be inclined to contain Wahlstrom in a separate commerce based mostly round Jean-Gabriel Pageau. If the Islanders want to shed wage, they may package deal Wahlstrom and a second-round decide to dump Pageau’s remaining contract of two years at $5 million yearly.
Utah Hockey Membership
The Utah Hockey Membership has already proven a willingness to be aggressive of their first season in Salt Lake Metropolis, and so they may very well be a commerce associate for Wahlstrom. With the intention of creating the playoffs, their ahead core presently lacks management and expertise, and so they may comply with an analogous package deal because the one talked about above involving Pageau. With north of $15 million in projected cap house, they may look so as to add Wahlstrom and Pageau whereas recuperating a second-round decide after dropping three of their trades for Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino.
Wahlstrom would doubtless entice important commerce curiosity given his age, contract, and potential, which makes him interesting to any entrance workplace. Due to this fact, Lamoriello should strategize successfully to maximise the return. By doing so, he may safe a commerce that advantages each the Islanders and Wahlstrom within the upcoming season.
