Ben Shelley: Oliver Wahlstrom needs to take step forward with Islanders next season

Well Barzal fired Barry for the misuse of both Wahlstrom, and himself so no worries. They will both have 100 plus points without Barry’s ball and chain Keeping them both from their potential. I’m sure Barzal has had many white board sessions discussing line combinations and structure the team will play moving forward with Lambert.

Fire Barzal can Lou.

Well Barzal fired Barry for the misuse of both Wahlstrom, and himself so no worries. They will both have 100 plus points without Barry’s ball and chain Keeping them both from their potential. I’m sure Barzal has had many white board sessions discussing line combinations and structure the team will play moving forward.
- nyisles7

I’ve missed something in my absence.

I’ve missed something in my absence.
- Wildschwein

Not a thing really. Just internet hyperbole!

Oilers playing well here in the 2nd.

I’ve missed something in my absence.
- Wildschwein

You didn’t miss anything. It’s the same routine over, over, over, and over again.

I’ve missed something in my absence.
- Wildschwein

Not really, only someone lacking basic reading comprehension attributing opinions that weren't stated.

You didn’t miss anything. It’s the same routine over, over, over, and over again.
- Cptmjl

If you repeat it enough it could become funny.

Not really, only someone lacking basic reading comprehension attributing opinions that weren't stated.
- JimmyP

This will be the most accurate post on this thread.

There are three (3) paths of travel for Walhstrom here as he finishes out his contract year.

1. Walhstrom will be given a chance to put it together and become the player we hoped he would be.

2. Lou trades him at the Draft for a more established player.

3. He is moved at the 2023 trading deadline.

I can only assume that we all want option #1.

I’ve missed something in my absence.
- Wildschwein

Just remember offense if overrated and young offensive forwards need to be turned into 4th line grinders. You can also try to win every game 1-0 or 2-1.

There are three (3) paths of travel for Walhstrom here as he finishes out his contract year.

1. Walhstrom will be given a chance to put it together and become the player we hoped he would be.

2. Lou trades him at the Draft for a more established player.

3. He is moved at the 2023 trading deadline.

I can only assume that we all want option #1.
- Nfdbulldawg

Depends what comes back!

Fire Barzal can Lou.
- Cptmjl

Fire Lou, canned tuna

There are three (3) paths of travel for Walhstrom here as he finishes out his contract year.

1. Walhstrom will be given a chance to put it together and become the player we hoped he would be.

2. Lou trades him at the Draft for a more established player.

3. He is moved at the 2023 trading deadline.

I can only assume that we all want option #1.
- Nfdbulldawg

Me thinks Lou is working on #2 as we speak and Wally’s gone if there is a trade that makes sense. Would love him to be a piece of a Fiala trade. Wild need to dump salary and Wally’s on the last year of his ELC. Makes sense financially but can they agree on the pieces to get it done?

Of course Lou would need Barzal’s blessing on the deal. ( For the Girls Club! )

Fire Lou, canned tuna
- eichiefs9

Really hope canned tuna trades Wahlstrom this draft. That would be fantastic. If that doesn’t happen canned tuna should fire Barzal.

Really hope canned tuna trades Wahlstrom this draft. That would be fantastic. If that doesn’t happen canned tuna should fire Barzal.
- Cptmjl

Fire roasted tomatoes, can teen

And Elliotte Friedman mentioned on yesterday's podcast that the Hawks may listen to offers on DeBrincat

And Elliotte Friedman mentioned on yesterday's podcast that the Hawks may listen to offers on DeBrincat
- eichiefs9

There may be a lot of great players potentially available this off-season. With that said Pasternak even at one year isn’t coming cheap that’s for sure. That’s if he’s even available.

There may be a lot of great players potentially available this off-season. With that said Pasternak even at one year isn’t coming cheap that’s for sure. That’s if he’s even available.
- Cptmjl

Neither him or DeBrincat would be cheap, but those are two guys you trade the farm for. I like Fiala, but I'm not totally sold. He'd certainly cost less than the other two. No reason Boston or Chicago has to trade either guy, so that certainly won't help the cost.

edit: but like this guy said:

James Nichols @JamesNicholsNYI
37m
No question about it, with Pastrnak, DeBrincat, Kevin Fiala, Johnny Gaudreau, and Filip Forsberg as all possible available players this summer, Lamoriello has to find a way to retrieve one of them. ⬇️ #isles

Neither him or DeBrincat would be cheap, but those are two guys you trade the farm for. I like Fiala, but I'm not totally sold. He'd certainly cost less than the other two. No reason Boston or Chicago has to trade either guy, so that certainly won't help the cost.
- eichiefs9

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not convinced that the team we had this year won't be the same team as next year. I just don't think Lou will make any big moves. We all know he's loyal to his players. If Chara wants another season, you can bet Lou will give him another season. I hope I'm wrong and I hope Lou addresses the needs that seem to be apparent to the rest of the hockey world. We don't have much in the way of trade value or draft picks. But I'll wait idly by waiting to see what happens and hope Lou brings in some higher skilled players. Fingers crossed.

And Elliotte Friedman mentioned on yesterday's podcast that the Hawks may listen to offers on DeBrincat
- eichiefs9

Pasta? Ummm, yes please.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not convinced that the team we had this year won't be the same team as next year. I just don't think Lou will make any big moves. We all know he's loyal to his players. If Chara wants another season, you can bet Lou will give him another season. I hope I'm wrong and I hope Lou addresses the needs that seem to be apparent to the rest of the hockey world. We don't have much in the way of trade value or draft picks. But I'll wait idly by waiting to see what happens and hope Lou brings in some higher skilled players. Fingers crossed.
- Isleshockeyman

I mean he pretty much came out and said that there are issues on the blueline and in the scoring dept that he is going to address. That's rare for him.

As loyal as he is, he's also not afraid to trade pretty much anyone if he sees it as the right move. He knows that the success/failures of this team going forward, after firing Trotz, are going to fall squarely on his shoulders and I don't see him standing pat.

It won't be easy with limited cap space and limited assets to trade, that's for sure.

I mean he pretty much came out and said that there are issues on the blueline and in the scoring dept that he is going to address. That's rare for him.

As loyal as he is, he's also not afraid to trade pretty much anyone if he sees it as the right move. He knows that the success/failures of this team going forward, after firing Trotz, are going to fall squarely on his shoulders and I don't see him standing pat.

It won't be easy with limited cap space and limited assets to trade, that's for sure.
- eichiefs9

He’s definitely going to address the Blue line.
After that if there’s a hockey trade on the forward side that as you said can be made within the cap he will do that as well.
I just think the blue line is the big need. The Islanders PP and scoring in the second half was much better imho.
Going to be an interesting off season.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not convinced that the team we had this year won't be the same team as next year. I just don't think Lou will make any big moves. We all know he's loyal to his players. If Chara wants another season, you can bet Lou will give him another season. I hope I'm wrong and I hope Lou addresses the needs that seem to be apparent to the rest of the hockey world. We don't have much in the way of trade value or draft picks. But I'll wait idly by waiting to see what happens and hope Lou brings in some higher skilled players. Fingers crossed.
- Isleshockeyman

That would be canned tuna’s swan song.

Not a thing really. Just internet hyperbole!

- nyisles7

You didn’t miss anything. It’s the same routine over, over, over, and over again.
- Cptmjl

Not really, only someone lacking basic reading comprehension attributing opinions that weren't stated.
- JimmyP

Just remember offense if overrated and young offensive forwards need to be turned into 4th line grinders. You can also try to win every game 1-0 or 2-1.
- ses111