Oliver Wahlstrom puts disappointment of last season behind him
Oliver Wahlstrom #26 of the New York Islanders skates during the third period against the New York Rangers at UBS Arena on Thursday, Apr. 21, 2022 in Elmont, New York. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Oliver Wahlstrom knows he was too hard on himself last season as the Islanders spiraled out of playoff contention and he was unable to produce points consistently.
Perhaps scoring a goal in his first game will allow the 22-year-old former first-round pick to be more relaxed this season, his third in the NHL.
Wahlstrom, held out of the season opener as he recovered from an unspecified issue, was sprung for a breakaway backhander in the second period of Saturday’s 7-1 rout of the Ducks.
“I was kind of hard on myself last year,” he said toward the end of training camp. “Maybe I did put too many expectations on myself. This year, I want to take another step, another jump in my game. I want to win some hockey games. We have a special team here. I had a good summer. A frustrating preseason getting hurt. But I’m excited.”
Wahlstrom, never able to connect consistently with his blistering wrist shot and never able to click on a line with elite playmaker Mathew Barzal when finally given a chance, had 13 goals and 11 assists in 73 games last season.
So far this season: one goal and one assist in one game.
“It’s going to help him a lot,” coach Lane Lambert said. “That’s one of his strengths is to be able to score. It was a good night for him.”
Wahlstrom never seemed to be able to earn the full trust of former coach Barry Trotz as he struggled with his defense and the other details that comprise his all-around game.
Lambert, after talking about Wahlstrom’s goal, made sure to mention he also was pleased with the 6-2, 204-pound right wing’s defensive effort and play along the walls. Lambert spent the previous four seasons serving as Trotz’s associate coach.
“He worked with me on the side sometimes the last two years,” said Wahlstrom, selected 11th overall in 2018. “His philosophy is great. We want to play aggressive. We want to be on top of guys and make plays but also be responsible in the ‘D’ zone. We’re going to be a pretty aggressive team and it’s going to be fun hockey.”
Wahlstrom worked on his skating skills in the offseason. But one other big difference for him is understanding what a full 82-game schedule entails. The COVID pandemic limited travel solely to divisional games in Wahlstrom’s rookie season, and he said he had a hard time adjusting to the full travel schedule last season.
“It’s not an excuse but, last year, I learned the 82 games, the traveling, the plane rides, and the eating and the hotels and playing in California and then flying to Seattle,” Wahlstrom said. “It’s pretty taxing on your body and I took that into account this summer.
“This year it’s time to put my foot down and start playing hockey and having fun.”
Notes & quotes: The Islanders, who did not practice on Sunday, will continue their four-game homestand against the Sharks on Tuesday night.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
