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New York Islanders Three Internal Options for Top Six Winger

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 03: Tom Kuhnhackl #14 of the New York Islanders lays on the ice after being hit by a teammates stick against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 03, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2 and won the series, 4-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 03: Tom Kuhnhackl #14 of the New York Islanders lays on the ice after being hit by a teammates stick against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 03, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2 and won the series, 4-0. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Oliver Wahlstrom #54 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on September 24, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Oliver Wahlstrom

It’s early in the season for call ups, sure, but if the New York Islanders want to improve their top six from within picking a player that’s on a point-per-game pace isn’t a terrible idea.

In three games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, so far this season Wahlstrom has three points (one goal, two assists) and six shots on net. With the five games he played with the Sound Tigers last season, he now has six points in eight AHL games.

Look, his stint with Boston College was a failure. The college-level just wasn’t for Oliver Wahlstrom. Since he’s turned pro he’s looked like the player that the New York Islanders drafted eleventh overall in 2018.

Just remember, when the Islanders drafted Wahlstrom he had just scored 91 points with 48 goals across 62 games for US National development team. Add another seven goals in seven games at the IIHF World Championship’s and its no wonder people were raving about his goal-scoring abilities.

"“Wahlstrom already has an NHL-caliber shot with a quick release and the ability to create space for himself and linemates. He’s most known for his goal-scoring ability and elite shot, and can hit a one-timer as good or better than many professional players.” – NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale"

If the New York Islanders are looking for pop up top Oliver Wahlstrom is an interesting option for them. Josh Bailey would have to continue to play on the left side for Wahlstrom to slot in on the right side.

Perhaps the Islanders aren’t that desperate to bring up a player who was drafted just two years ago. If not there’s still another option they can turn to who’s also playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

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