Islanders find Bode Wilde a new temporary home in Sweden

The lone unvaccinated player in the New York Islanders organization was given a new, albeit temporary home. Bode Wilde was sent out on loan in Europe, as Lou Lamoriello indicated would happen.

On Tuesday, the Islanders officially announced that they had sent out Bode Wilde out on loan to Swedish side Vasterviks IK. Don’t know who they are? Don’t worry I’ll tell you.

New York Islanders send out Bode Wilde out on loan

Vasterviks plays in the second tier of Swedish hockey in the Allsvenskan. If you remember the period before the 2020-21 season, both Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom were sent out on loan to Allsvenskan sides (AIK and Vita Hasten respectively) before the North American season.

The Allsvenskan isn’t a terrible league, in fact, it’s close to the SHL’s version of the AHL. And Vasterviks’ is a decent side in that league.

They finished fifth in 2020-21 and made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs that year. They’re a decent squad for Wilde to join on loan.

Say what you will about the Bridgeport coaching staff’s ability to churn out players for the NHL squad, but they know what they’re doing when it comes to defensemen. There’s no question about that. Getting his first actual full-season of pro-North American hockey would have been a huge benefit for his development.

Remember, Wilde was injured before Isles camp in 2019-20 and only played 20 games with the Sound Tigers before going back to the OHL. In 2020-21, he only played 22 of a possible 24 games in the AHL because of the pandemic shortened season.

You’ve got to see this as a lost year for him yet again. That’s essentially three lost years for Wilde now. You also have to know that a year in the AHL is exponentially better for him than a year in the second tier of Swedish hockey.

Bode Wilde made his choice now he’s got to deal with the fallout from the decision.