Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom Can Be The Team's Next Big Thing

New York Islanders young star, Oliver Wahlstrom has what it takes to become the team's next big thing. Wahlstrom, who is only 21 years old, has already shown his presence on the team, early on in his career. To say the future is anything but bright for this kid would be an understatement.

Oliver Wahlstrom was the number 11 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Prior to coming to the NHL, Wahlstrom played two seasons for USA Hockey's National Team. Wahlstrom was always an incredible hockey player, but since coming to the Islanders, he really dialed in and turned it up a notch.

Oliver Wahlstrom has 79 games played, and he has 36 points in total. These points came off of 20 goals, and 16 assists. Wahlstrom made his debut with the Islanders in the 2019-2020 season. During that first season in the NHL, Wahlstrom only played nine games but showed himself to play really well.

In the 2020-2021 season, we saw a lot more of Wahlstrom. In that season, he played 44 games in total. He scored 21 points as well. These points came off of 12 goals and nine assists. This was the first time Islanders fans really saw who Oliver Wahlstrom was for the team. Since last that 2020-21 season he's taken off and hasn't looked back.

Oliver Wahlstrom This Season

Wahlstrom has continued to show improvement and has continued to earn his spot. On the season so far, Wahlstrom has played in 26 games and has 15 points on the season. Those points came off of eight goals and seven assists.

This year has been a very strange one. There have been a lot of cancellations, injuries, COVID protocol issues, and just a lot of bad stuff for the Islanders to deal with. Oliver Wahlstrom has remained a powerful force on the Islanders.

Unfortunately, through all these things, the Islanders don't have the best record and are in last place in their division. However, there is still time to turn things around but the Islanders have no time to waste in turning things around and winning games.

In Wahlstrom's last five games, he has picked up six assists. This shows me that not only can he score, but he is a great set-up guy to have as well. It's no secret Wahlstrom can score, he is one of the team's best snipers.

Oliver Wahlstrom is still finding his spot on the team. The best thing to do with him would be to put him on the first line with Anders Lee and Mat Barzal. I don't see this happening, but this would be the best thing for him. He's a good skater and he can definitely keep up with Barzal, which is what Barzal needs.

The future is bright for Oliver Wahlstrom. At 21 years old and already playing so well, it makes you think where he will be in another five years. Wahlstrom is still just getting started in the league and continues to show improvement every time he's out there. The sky is truly the limit.