Islanders’ Oliver Wahlstrom out for season with knee harm
TAMPA, Fla. — Lou Lamoriello confirmed what everyone already knew.
Oliver Wahlstrom is out for the season.
“He won’t be again [this season], sure, however he will certainly be prepared earlier than the summer season’s over,” Lamoriello mentioned earlier than the Islanders’ 5-0 loss to the Lightning.
That comes as little shock, on condition that Wahlstrom final performed earlier than Christmas, and was final seen sporting crutches and a brace on his left knee.
The harm to the proper winger was robust information for the Islanders on the time, for the reason that 22-year-old had earned an everyday spot within the lineup and impressed along with his physicality following an up-and-down 2021-22 season.
“I simply thought he was actually coming alongside,” coach Lane Lambert mentioned. “He provides a sure ingredient to our hockey staff that was, at that time, wanted. And we’ve missed him.
“Only a matter of him getting higher and preparing for what’s to come back subsequent.”
For Wahlstrom, a restricted free agent after this season, there’s little suspense over whether or not he’ll return to the Islanders — it’s extremely uncommon for a restricted free agent to signal a proposal sheet within the NHL, not to mention go away — however the harm possible price him some cash as nicely.
The excellent news is that he’ll be prepared for coaching camp, and that he ought to have loads of runway to get again to full energy with 9 months between the unique harm and the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Lamoriello had no real interest in discussing his personal future, seeming to take offense to a query on the topic Saturday.
“I by no means speak about myself,” Lamoriello mentioned, earlier than railing in regards to the presupposition that the unique deal he signed with the Islanders will expire on the finish of the season.
It’s well-known across the league and has been broadly reported that the deal expires after the tip of the season.
Sebastian Aho traveled with the staff to Tampa and skated Saturday morning, however didn’t play towards the Lightning.
“He pushes the puck up the ice for us, competes onerous,” Lambert mentioned. “He’s had a terrific season and so we sit up for getting him again after we do.”
Travis Mitchell and Aidan Fulp, whom the Islanders signed to entry-level offers on Friday out of faculty, additionally signed tryout offers permitting them to play video games with AHL Bridgeport.
“We’re glad we will get them, dimension and energy is one thing that they each [have] — one’s a left shot, one’s a proper shot,” Lamoriello mentioned. “They’re each in Bridgeport proper now, so that they’ll get acclimated to the group and I’m positive get within the lineup earlier than the season’s over.”