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New York Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom Signs ELC

By Matt O'Leary
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Oliver Wahlstrom poses after being selected eleventh overall by the New York Islanders during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Oliver Wahlstrom poses after being selected eleventh overall by the New York Islanders during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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After deciding to leave Boston College, the New York Islanders have signed Oliver Wahlstrom to an Entry Level Contract.

With the 11th pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders selected Oliver Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom, who was coming off a monster season in the USDP was not expected to be there when the Islanders were selecting.

Lou Lamoriello was wise to take the best player available and did so with both Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson at 12th overall. Today, the Islanders signed Oliver Wahlstrom to his ELC and he will likely be signing an ATO with Bridgeport.

According to Cap Friendly, it’s a three-year deal worth $2.78 million ($925,000 AAV). This means that we have an answer to the question “where is Oliver Wahlstrom playing hockey next year?” If he’s not on the Islanders it’ll be in the AHL.

The soon to be 19-year-old, struggled at times at BC this year. In 36 games he had just 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists). Wahlstrom projects to be a much better goal scorer at the NHL level, he’s been described as a “sensation scoring threat”.

While the Sound Tigers gear up for the playoffs, there’s a chance you can see a line of Bellows – Koivula – Wahlstrom. Those three prospects are the next group of Isles who should be making the jump in either 2019 or 2020.

You can’t forget about Josh Ho-Sang in the AHL either who should serve a quality role with the Sound Tigers come playoff time.

One of the things the big club has struggled mightily with is the power play. They lack a true scoring force which is why they currently rank 29th in the league with a 14.5 percent power-play efficiency.

As early as next season, we could see Wahlstrom provide a spark to not only the power play but potentially Mathew Barzal’s wing. With Keiffer Bellows and Wahlstrom primed to be the next Islanders goal scorers Lou’s plan all along might’ve been to wait until year two.

Lehner nominated for Masterton Trophy. Next

Right now the Islanders offense is downright pitiful, but today marked the start of the reinforcements for next year and beyond.

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