Islanders Need More From Their Depth – The Hockey Writers –

The New York Islanders have begun their 2024-25 season with a 1-1-1 record. Offseason acquisitions Maxim Tsyplakov and Anthony Duclair have fit in well during their first few games on Long Island, while key forwards Mat Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Brock Nelson continue to lead the way. However, depth, particularly among the forwards, has been a concern, and the team will need to address this issue soon if they hope to improve on last season’s late run.

Wahlstrom Not a Fit on the Fourth Line

Drafted in 2018, Oliver Wahlstrom was once a highly touted prospect for the Islanders, known for his powerful shot and the potential to become a 30+ goal scorer. However, at 24 years old, he has yet to meet those expectations, and the Islanders seem hesitant to make a definitive call on his future. While he’s not necessarily a bust, his raw talent has not translated into consistent production, and the team lacks the time or patience for him to work through such shortcomings. His torn ACL injury during the 2022-23 season has further hindered his development, with his skating significantly deteriorating since the injury, limiting his upside.

Related: New York Islanders’ 2024-25 Stat Predictions

Heading into the 2024-25 season, many expected Wahlstrom to be sent to the Bridgeport Islanders in the American Hockey League, but instead, he made the Islanders’ opening night roster and has played in all three games on the fourth line. Unfortunately, his skating and defensive consistency has struggled, holding the line back.

While Wahlstrom has yet to register a point, the bigger issue is his overall performance. He has not been on the ice for an Islanders goal and currently holds a 20.1% expected goals percentage (xG%), according to MoneyPuck. His linemates, Kyle MacLean, and Casey Cizikas, have also underperformed offensively, but both contribute in the faceoff dot and on the penalty kill—areas where Wahlstrom has provided no impact.

At this stage in Wahlstrom’s career, he is not suited for a fourth-line role. As a shoot-first winger, he is being asked to play more like a physical, two-way forward, which does not align with his strengths. Unfortunately for Wahlstrom, the Islanders are a contending team with a logjam on the wing, meaning they do not have the ability to guide him through necessary development, meaning cutting ties may be the best course of action. When…