Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom on his way to US from AIK loan

New York Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom has been recalled from his loan in Sweden and is on his way back to America to begin preparations for the 20-21 season.

New York Islanders first-round pick (eleventh overall) at the 2018 draft Oliver Wahlstrom is returning to America after a two-month-long loan to AIK in Sweden’s Allsvenskan division.

Both AIK and Wahlstrom shared the news over Instagram on Monday.

Wahlstrom ends a fairly successful loan spell with AIK. In ten games in Sweden’s second division, Wahlstrom scored eight points and was third on the team for scoring. His loan spell was interrupted after he crashed into the boards hard at the end of October and missed a few weeks.

He now returns to North America to begin preparations for training camp and a chance to make the Islanders opening night squad in the 20-21 season.

Words from his Coach

The Islanders need two things in 20-21; they need to bring in a goal-scorer and do so under the NHL’s hard salary cap. Oliver Wahlstrom could very well provide both options for the Islanders.

The reason Wahlstrom went eleventh overall in 2018 was because of his goal-scoring acumen. Wahlstrom scored 77 goals across 95 games in all competitions during his draft year. The kid can score goals.

In speaking with Wahlstrom’s coach a month ago, he told me that while Wahlstrom could improve his defensive play he’s a good offensive player that could be even more productive than we think.

With his loan spell in Sweden, Wahlstrom has a huge advantage as he prepares for the Islanders training camp. Unlike most of the players who will make up the rest of the camp roster, Wahlstrom has been training with a team and playing competitive games for the last few months. That should give him a leg up on some of the other players out there hoping to make the team in 20-21.

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The right-shot forward carries a low $894,167 cap hit. Wahlstrom could very well be what the Islanders need in 20-21. He’ll have to prove to Barry Trotz that he can give them the offense they need and play within the Isles system.