First-rounder on the trade block despite brand new contract?!

On Thursday, forward Oliver Wahlstrom and the New York Islanders have avoided arbitration with a one-year contract. The restricted free agent avoided a meeting with an arbitrator and got a $1 million cap hit on the agreement.

He played last season on a one-year, $874,000 contract.

However, that does not mean Wahlstrom will be staying put in New York, according to Ethan Sears of the Post. He suggests that Wahlstrom’s future with the Islanders remains doubtful despite signing a brand new deal. Sears indicates how the signing now puts the Isles over the $88 million salary cap and reminds fans how general manager Lou Lamoriello was seeking trade partners last month at the NHL Draft in Las Vegas.

Sears therefore believes that, while Wahlstrom secured a roster spot for training camp with his new contract, he could end up being showcased for rival clubs in order to facilitate a trade for Lou.

It’s been a rough past season for Wahlstrom as he came back from an ACL injury in 2022-23. While GM Lamoriello is open to giving him another chance, the young forward didn’t get the same luck with head coach Patrick Roy, “as he was made a healthy scratch in every game from Feb. 26 onwards, excepting the meaningless final game of the regular season.”

Sears adds about the situation on Wahlstrom:

“Assuming he is on the training camp roster, the Islanders will get a chance to see whether his performance has jumped in alignment with his health.

“Also possible is that the Isles could use the preseason as a showcase for a potential trade, or that Wahlstrom could end up on waivers or in the AHL.”

A lot of options on what could come next for Wahlstrom, who needs to prove he can meet the expectations the Islanders have had since selecting him 11th overall back in 2018.

Wahlstrom has two goals and six points in 32 games last season, his fifth with the Islanders since the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.