New York Islanders Lose Former First-Rounder To Eastern Conference Rival On Waivers
The New York Islanders have lost former first-round pick Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers to one of their big Eastern Conference rivals in what was a massive roster move.
In need of offense, the Bruins have added some depth up front. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports via X that Boston has claimed Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers.
The other Islanders player that was placed on waivers, Pierre Engvall, cleared, as no teams claimed him.
It's been a bumpy few years for Oliver Wahlstrom with the Islanders. Picked 11th overall in 2018 after a big offensive season with the US National Team Development Program, the 24-year-old turned pro after just one year at Boston College.
The Islanders were projecting he would fast-track himself into a reliable offensive player.
Though promising early in his NHL career, Wahlstrom simply didn't develop. He made his debut in the 2020-21 season, scoring 12 goals and adding nine assists in 44 games during the pandemic-shortened season.
The year after that, he had a modest increase to 13 goals and 11 assists in 73 games, but his points per game rate actually decreased. In 2022-23, he tallied 16 points in just 35 games, showing some productivity in limited action.
However, he did struggle a lot last season, being mainly a healthy scratch and ending with six points in 32 games.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 14 | 131 ANSWERS New York Islanders Lose Former First-Rounder To Eastern Conference Rival On Waivers Will the Islanders regret waiving Oliver Wahlstrom? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 76.3 % |
| No | 31 | 23.7 % |
| List of polls | ||