Boston Bruins Place Oliver Wahlstrom on Waivers
BOSTON, MA — The Boston Bruins have placed former New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers ahead of their upcoming matchup against Long Island. Wahlstrom, who has had a tumultuous journey in his young career, was initially claimed by the Bruins from the Islanders on December 14th. His time with the Bruins, however, has been marked by limited ice time and sparse production, leading to this decision.
A Promising Start with the Islanders
Wahlstrom was a highly touted prospect when the New York Islanders selected him 11th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. His potential was evident from the very beginning, and there were high hopes for him to become a key figure in the Islanders’ lineup. However, his path to a consistent roster spot has been fraught with challenges. Injuries, most notably tearing his ACL under former head coach Lane Lambert, significantly hindered his development. Despite these setbacks, Wahlstrom managed to carve out a niche, scoring two goals and two assists for four points in 27 games during his tenure with the Islanders.
Falling Out of Favor
With the change in head coaching from Lane Lambert to Patrick Roy, Wahlstrom’s position on the team became even more precarious. Roy, known for his stringent standards and high expectations, did not seem to favor the young forward. This lack of trust and opportunity led to Wahlstrom’s eventual placement on waivers by the Islanders. The Bruins saw potential in the 24-year-old and decided to give him a chance, claiming him with the hope that a change of environment could reignite his career.
Struggles Continue with the Bruins
Unfortunately, Wahlstrom’s struggles have continued in Boston. In 16 games with the Bruins, he has managed only one goal and one assist, a stat line that reflects his ongoing difficulties in finding a consistent role. Bruins head coach Joe Sacco has also not given Wahlstrom the ice time he might have hoped for, averaging just 10:30 minutes per game. This is only slightly more than the 10:04 minutes he averaged under Patrick Roy, indicating a similar lack of confidence in his abilities at the NHL level.
The Future Uncertain
A return to the Islanders seems unlikely for Wahlstrom, as the team has already made it clear that they no longer see him fitting into their plans. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, he will be assigned to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence, where he might get more opportunities to develop and regain his form. However, there is always the possibility that another NHL team will see potential in him and claim him, providing a fresh start elsewhere. The hockey world will be watching closely to see what the future holds for the young winger.
Keeping an Eye on the Islanders
Meanwhile, the Islanders are focusing on other roster moves and strategic adjustments. They recently activated defenseman Noah Dobson from long-term injured reserve, a significant boost to their defensive depth ahead of the game against Boston. The team is also keeping a close eye on potential trade scenarios, with forwards like Brock Nelson and Scott Mayfield being key pieces in their future plans. Additionally, the Islanders are navigating the challenges of having players occasionally being healthy scratches, as Scott Mayfield recently shared his mindset and approach to such situations.
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