Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom can still finish with good camp

Oliver Wahlstrom had a standout rookie season with the New York Islanders last season. In 44 games, the 2018 eleventh overall pick showed off his talents with 12 goals and 21 points. That type of return left fans wanting more from the former first-round talent.

So much so that fans wanted the young man to be a the top of the Islanders right-wing depth chart and play alongside Barzal and Lee on day one of hte 2021-22 season.

But to get that spot, Wahlstrom would have to earn it. He wouldn’t be handed the team’s top RW spot just because. And, at the moment he isn’t earning it.

New York Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom having a bad camp

And look, I’m not just saying that based on the Islanders last game. Of course, Wahlstrom didn’t play very well against the Flyers. The comments about Wahlstrom’s camp come from non-other than coach Barry Trotz.

That is not a good sign when the head coach tells everyone that you aren’t having a good camp. Of course, we have no idea what is the issue for Wahlstrom or what is exactly the issue for his poor camp.

Obviously, Barry Trotz knows what the problem is and what he wants to see from the sophomore players. And clearly, he’s communicated this to Wahlstrom. Giving the winger plenty of time to right the ship and get back into Trotz’s good book.

The Islanders still have four games to play in the preseason and nearly two weeks before the season-opening game in Carolina on October 14. That’s plenty of time for Wahlstrom to take Trotz’s pointers and apply them during camp.

So I wouldn’t be too worried that Wahlstrom might not be in the lineup in favor of someone like Leo Komarov. Wahlstrom is too important to this lineup with his incredible release from just about everywhere on the ice.

What Trotz did might just light a fire in Wahlstrom that gets him going in camp.