Amidst some offensive struggles, the Bruins have added some depth up front. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that Boston has claimed winger Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the Islanders.
It has been a bit of a tumultuous tenure for Wahlstrom and the Isles in recent years. The 24-year-old was the 11th overall pick back in 2018 after showing plenty of offensive promise with the US National Team Development Program. He opted to turn pro after just one year at Boston College and the hope was that he’d become a reliable offensive player for New York before too long.
However, that never really came to fruition. Wahlstrom’s NHL career got off to a good start in 2020-21 when he picked up 12 goals and nine assists in 44 games in the shortened season. He followed that up with 13 goals and 11 helpers in 73 games the following season, a small uptick in overall production but a notable drop in points per game. He was somewhat productive in limited action in 2022-23 when he had 16 points in 35 games but things went off the rails last year when he was a frequent healthy scratch and collected just six points in 32 games.
That led to some speculation that the two sides could be parting ways, a belief that carried over to the summer. Instead, the two sides worked out a one-year, $1MM contract in late July. However, while Wahlstrom was largely able to secure a regular role in New York’s lineup this season, his playing time and production have both been limited. His 10:04 ATOI is a career low while he has just two goals and two assists in 27 appearances, leading to his waiver placement on Friday.
It’s a low-risk pickup for the Bruins who have just enough cap space to absorb Wahlstrom’s contract without needing to make any other roster moves. If things go well, they’ll be able to keep him under club control for two more years although he will be arbitration-eligible. Boston is now at the maximum of 23 players on its active roster.
If I remember right, he was the kid that pulled off a crazy truck shot in one of the kids hockey tournaments at TD Garden when he was like 9-10
Yes you are correct – hopefully he can find some offence
Maybe coming “home” will be what the kid needs to get back on track.
I was hoping he’d make it to Dallas.
With Seguin out long term, Shane Pinto or Boeser, if Vancouver starts losing, as the big replacement and Wahlstrom as the bottom 6 depth was something I could see happening.
The Bruins have taken a chance on several BC/BU/NE players after they failed to click in other environs. Many have not worked out, but I think Wahlstrom coud be a shrewd pick up.
The Avs missed out on Wahlstrom but rather the organization would prefer Chris Wagner who is a total non impact player.
Wahlstrom now playing closer to his native Maine won’t make him a better player.
Hard to believe that the Islanders couldn’t get anything for him and just lost him on waivers.