Islanders: Three internal lineup options after Anders Lee injury

Oliver Wahlstrom gets a bump

If anyone has needed a bump in ice time it’s Oliver Wahlstrom. The Islanders rookie has been in top form since he made his debut on the season. But he’s only averaging 11:13 of ice time a night. He deserves a bump up the lineup.

Not to the top line though, but at least to a more offensive unit:

Bailey-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Wahlstrom
Dal Colle-Pageau-Czarnik
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

There’s a lot of continuity in this lineup and enough change to both keep things ticking but also take advantage of the “next man up” mentality.

With Lee down, there’s a spot in the top six open. There has been no player more deserving of a top-six position than Oliver Wahlstrom. He’s completely bought into what Trotz is teaching and is giving the team some depth offense with nine points in 20 games while playing a good defensive game made obvious by a team-leading 72.33 GF% at 5on5.

Some may not agree with Bailey on the top line and that’s perfectly fine, I agree that he hasn’t been excellent this year. But it keeps a left-right balance on the wing. If you don’t like it move Beau up and Bailey down.

I’ve made the third line Dal Colle-Pageau-Czarnik. I think Czarnik could be an effective forward down the wing with Pageau. He’s an effective forechecker with a ton of speed and an eye for goal. He doesn’t have the same talent level as Wahlstrom, but his work rate is at the same level if not higher. I think the two could complement each other well.