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Should The Sharks Claim Former Islanders First-Round Pick?

max miller
·3 min read

The San Jose Sharks always seem to be in the market for a young forward, and with the New York Islanders putting a 2018 NHL Draft first-round pick, Oliver Wahlstrom, on waivers, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Sharks tried to claim him.

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The Islanders put Wahlstrom and Pierre Engvall on waivers today as they are expected to have star players return from injury, which could include former San Jose Sharks forward Anthony Duclair.

Wahlstrom is a big winger, listed at 6'2, 205 lbs, who has had success in the NHL. A bad knee injury derailed his development plan, but a change of scenery could be exactly what the former first-rounder needs.

During the shortened 2020-21 season, Wahlstrom scored 12 goals and 21 points in 44 games as a rookie. He followed up that season with 13 goals in 73 games in 21-22. While that development doesn't seem like much growth, Wahlstrom was well on his way to a career season in 22-23, as he had seven goals and nine assists in 35 games before he suffered a season-ending injury.

The Islanders did little over the offseason besides bringing in Duclair, and Wahlstrom seems to have been buried in the lineup despite Patrick Roy taking over midway through last season. The 24-year-old has two goals and two assists in 27 games this season.

Wahlstrom signed a one-year, $1 million contract before this season and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

It can't hurt to bring Wahlstrom in, especially if Klim Kotin is to miss time after leaving Thursday's game against the St. Louis Blues with an undisclosed injury. If Kostin isn't out long-term, finding a spot in the lineup for Wahlstrom could be difficult, as there needs to be veteran leadership. Nikolai Kovalenko was also just acquired and had a three-assist game while playing on the same line as Macklin Celebrini.

Related: Celebrini & Kovalenko Lead Sharks Past Blues 4-3

The San Jose Sharks' record is 11-16-5, which puts them in 26th place, good enough for seventh on the waiver wire. What a change from the last few seasons! San Jose is playing much better this season and is not always at the top of the priority list.

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