New York Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom Drops 13 Pounds With Swedish Training

New York Islanders prospect, Oliver Wahlstrom, is showing off at the Junior Showcase. He came into the showcase in the best shape of his life.

When the New York Islanders were picking 11th in the 2018 NHL Draft they were jumping for joy when Oliver Wahlstrom somehow fell to them. Wahlstrom was considered the best scorer of that class, and he put that on display during his time in the USHL and USDP.

Unfortunately for Wahlstrom, his production dropped off slightly in the NCAA with Boston College and his stock fell to some extent. Someone who had the expectation to be ready for the NHL by 2019-2020 appeared to look like he needed more time.

In a 10 game sample size in the AHL, after his NCAA season, Wahlstrom was fantastic. He had seven points in those 10 games and was one of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers better players in the playoffs.

Despite that great run, again in a small sample size, many are expecting Wahlstrom to start the season in the AHL. Don’t tell him that though, he’s at the Junior Showcase in the best shape of his life.

According to Adam Kimelman, Oliver Wahlstrom went from 213 pounds to 200 and his body fat percentage dropped from roughly 10 percent down to 6.4 percent. Wahlstrom is in the best shape of his life and looking to make an impact.

In their game against Finland, Wahlstrom banged home a rebound from the point on a power play. Boy, that sounds like something the Islanders could use on their roster right about now.

He would later hit a post as well, making his presence felt for team USA. It still seems like a bit of a stretch that Wahlstrom makes the team out of camp, but he’s doing everything in his power to make this team.

We knew from Arthur Staple that Wahlstrom was working on his endurance but I don’t think we knew that he lost nearly 15 pounds and four percent body fat in the last few months.

It’ll likely take a monster camp for Wahlstrom to make the Islanders but all signs are pointing to Oliver Wahlstrom putting himself in the best position to make himself a successful player at the next level. We may see Oliver on Long Island sooner rather than later.