The New York Islanders could regret losing Oliver Wahlstrom

The New York Islanders placed forward Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers earlier this week. The move was necessitated due to the influx of returning players demanding roster spots.

With nowhere to put Wahlstrom, the only place was waivers. If he cleared, he would have made his way to Bridgeport. Alas, that was not the case.

The Boston Bruins, of all teams, swooped in and claimed Wahlstrom. Honestly, I have to say I’m happy for Wahlstrom. He’ll likely get a chance to prove his value in Boston. If he does, he’ll stick with the club. If he doesn’t, well, he could be on the move again.

The former 11th overall pick from the 2018 draft had a high ceiling. He still does. However, he didn’t quite get the chance to fully develop into the player the Islanders hoped he’d become.

The fact of the matter is that losing Wahlstrom for nothing is an indictment of how the Isles develop young players. Instead of building a robust prospect pipeline, the Lou Lamoriello-led front office values veterans over rising stars.

As such, younger players often get squeezed out of opportunities to grow into everyday NHLers. Wahlstrom is one. Also, Samuel Bolduc, Simon Holmstrom, and Liam Foudy come to mind. In Holmstrom’s case, he’s slowly grown into a full-time role.

But that was not the case for Wahlstrom. He didn’t get a real chance to show what his first-round pedigree could accomplish. In the end, the New York Islanders let him go for nothing.

Why the New York Islanders could regret losing Oliver Wahlstrom

The Islander risk turning Wahlstrom into one of those prospects that got away. In Boston, Wahlstrom will likely head into a bottom-six role. However, Joe Sacco and his staff are more focused on getting further depth scoring.

That’s why Boston wanted Wahlstrom.

Instead of plugging him into a grinding, checking role, the Bruins could put Wahlstrom on the third line, giving him a better shot at showing what he can do offensively.

With the Bruins reportedly looking to move Trent Frederic, Wahlstrom could be the guy to take over that spot. He’d be playing on a line with plenty of toughness in Mark Kastelic on the right side, and plenty of offensive upside with Charlie Coyle at center.

If Wahlstrom finds himself on the fourth line, he’d be playing with a much more offensively inclined group led by John Beecher. But I don’t see Wahlstrom heading to the fourth line. He’ll be a solid addition to the Bruins’ middle six.

That’s where Wahlstrom could shine. Gone is the pressure of being a failed prospect. He’ll get a clean slate. As we’ve seen many times in the past, a clean slate is what many unfulfilling prospects need to live up to their potential.

Plus, Wahlstrom will play with a chip on his shoulder. That could be just enough to turn Wahlstrom from a failed first-round bust into a solid NHL winger.