Islanders Send Oliver Wahlstrom back to AHL Activate Jordan Eberle

After nine games with the Islanders, their 2018 first-round draft pick Oliver Wahlstrom has been sent back to the AHL. For now.

Oliver Wahlstrom was called up to cover for injuries to the Islanders top six. With right-wing Jordan Eberle out, it made sense to bring up the first-round pick from 2018.

Wahlstrom was great at the end of the 2018-19 season in the AHL. In ten games, between the regular season and the playoffs, Wahlstrom has seven points. He was just as good during training camp and to start the season with the Sound Tigers.

Calling Wahlstrom up to cover an injury to the top six was a no brainer. After, nine games in the NHL, sending him down was also a no brainer.

Back in the lineup on the right side is Jordan Eberle.

Slideable

That sounds harsh, I know. While his nine-game stint started off strong it tapered off quite quickly.

His ice-time in his first three games ranged from 15:13 and 10:57. But from there, his ice-time just kept on falling as Barry Trotz put him further and further down the lineup.

Outside of a few scoring chances in those first few games, Wahlstrom just didn’t do enough to deserve a spot higher up the lineup. Sure, he looked good in those first few games, but clearly it wasn’t enough to impress Barry Trotz.

Wahlstrom just started his professional career. He’s clearly a talented player, but he’s had to adjust the move from the NCAA to the AHL and then to NHL. Wahlstrom needs to get into a good rhythm and get some big minutes under his belt. With the Sound Tigers, Wahlstrom will get that.

The Islanders get the added benefit of not having to burn a year of Wahlstrom’s entry-level contract. With only nine games played in the NHL Wahlstrom’s ELC can slide for another year.

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Oliver Wahlstrom will be back, but at the moment it’s better for his development to get some minutes and some games under his belt at the AHL level.