Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom injury update from Sweden

There’s an update from AIK on the status of New York Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom who took a nasty fall just a few days ago.

New York Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom is out in Sweden getting ready for the 2020-21 season playing for AIK on loan. He’s started off well with four points in five games while also learning the defensive side of the game that Barry Trotz wanted him to learn when he sent him back to the AHL after a nine-game stint in 2019-20.

Unfortunately in game six, Wahlstrom took a rough spill into the boards that saw him leave the game and not return. Worries mounted with Islanders fans about the health of their young forward.

AIK Update

If you haven’t seen what happened, here’s a GIF of the play. It’s a rough fall for anyone even for an athlete like Oliver Wahlstrom. He didn’t finish the game but according to a source, he was said to be looking “not too sore” after leaving the arena.

There wasn’t an official statement on Wahlstrom’s condition from the team in the day following the game so I reached out to them to get a word. Their communication manager told me that Wahlstrom was likely to be out for a week or two.

Judging by the fall and how he hit the boards the injury could have been much much worse. Knowing that it’s only a week or two is certainly a little encouraging.

Being able to play competitive hockey in Europe rather than sitting by the sidelines during this COVID break in North America is a huge advantage for Wahlstrom’s attempts to finally make the NHL full-time.

Wahlstrom could very well make the New York Islanders team this season. And if he’s as advertised he could be a breath of fresh air for a team that can’t score.