Islanders: Ranking all options to take Oliver Wahlstrom’s spot

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Travis Zajac #14 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders might not have Oliver Wahlstrom for some time, so let’s make a replacement depth chart for the third-line spot.

Oliver Wahlstrom could be out for some time. After taking a nasty spill against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders rookie is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

We already know that Travis Zajac is likely to take Wahlstrom’s spot on the roster. But there are a number of players who could fill the void left by Wahlstrom on the roster. So let’s look at those options and rank them based on how they can (1) fit with the system, (2) replicate what Oliver Wahlstrom brings, and (3) how much the coach likes the player.

I gave each player a score of 0-to-3 on each where 0 is very bad and three is very good. The rank is based on the accumulation of points from those three criteria.

Before I get to the ranking I wanted to list who I wasn’t considering and why:

Anatolii Golyshev: He’s just getting accustomed to the system after making the trip over from Russia. No way he even gets a sniff of the lineup. But I’d love to be surprised here. I think he fits the system well.
Simon Holmstrom: Nope. Not happening. The youngster still has some ways to go. He’s on the roster to hopefully speed up his development.
Andrew Ladd: He’s still listed on the taxi squad on CapFriendly. But as we know taxi squads stopped being a thing in the playoffs. Ladd is in some sort of purgatory between the NHL and AHL. That’s where he’ll stay.

So that leaves seven forwards on the Islanders roster that are technically up for the spot. Again, we know it’s Zajac’s spot but how do the players behind him lineup ?

Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Top 3

Travis Zajac (Points: 7)
System: 3
Olly-like: 1
Coach: 3

This is no surprise. Travis Zajac is a 15-year NHL veteran who can play a full 200-foot game. He’s good in both ends of the ice and plays a smart, mistake-free game. Exactly what Barry Trotz loves.

He doesn’t score like Wahlstrom and isn’t an impact player on the power play. He can add secondary offense though. He was on pace for a 40+ point season before being traded to the Islanders. But Barry probably doesn’t care about that so much. He sees a smart vet who can help him manage out a game.

Michael Dal Colle (Points: 6)
System: 3
Olly-like: 0
Coach: 3

He’s exactly like Zajac minus the possible goal threat. Michael Dal Colle can give the Islanders a solid 15 minutes of low-event hockey. He might not create much offensively, but he could play a solid defensive game that stifles the opposition and that’s worth a lot in a Barry system.

Ross Johnston
System: 2
Olly-like: 0
Coach: 3

Ross Johnston shouldn’t be this high on the list, but the love the coach has for him is clear. And look, on any other team I can Ross Johnston getting fairly regular ice time. But he’s Matt Martin lite, and the Islanders already have Matt Martin regular. There’s no need to have both on the ice.

Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Bottom 4

Austin Czarnik
System: 2.5
Olly-like: 0
Coach: 2

Czarnik played four games this year for the Isles. He was…fine in all four. I’m sure if he got a prolonged spell to prove his worth he’d make it work, but with only 50 total minutes of ice time, it’s hard to really stand out.

But his speed and his strong work ethic has him much higher on the list. He’s a really good forechecker and that ability should help counter the Penguin’s strong transition game. That’s why I added that extra 0.5 to his system score.

Cole Bardreau
System: 2
Olly-like: 0
Coach: 2

Cole Bardreau had a great year for the Sound Tigers this year. He led all skaters in goals (10) and points (16) in 20-21. He ended the season with eight points in his final eight games. In his ten-game stint with the Isles last year Bardreau proved to be a good addition while the fourth line was decimated with injury.

He’s a bottom-six forward that can take draws and kill penalties. He won’t play on the power play and isn’t what you’d consider a goal threat at the NHL level.

Kieffer Bellows
System: 1
Olly-like: 3
Coach: 0

If there’s anyone on the Islanders extras roster that could fill what Oliver Wahlstrom does offensively it’s Kieffer Bellows. He’s got an NHL shot and loves to shoot the puck from just about anywhere in the offensive zone.

Unfortunately, the Islanders coaching staff just doesn’t like what he’s putting out. Bellows has been in the dog house basically the entire year. He just can’t seem to show Barry Trotz that he’s ready.

Look, his defensive play isn’t great. His positioning isn’t great either which does little to endear himself to the coach.

Otto Koivula
System: 1
Olly-like: 1
Coach: 1

I don’t know what to say about Koivula. He’s got the size to be a staple in the Barry Trotz system, but he just doesn’t seem to fit what Barry wants from him. He’s not what you’d call a “power forward”. He doesn’t play a hard and physical game and for someone with a 6’4″ 225lbs frame that’s disappointing.

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