Back to the New York Islanders Newsfeed

Barry Trotz explains why Oliver Wahlstrom was a spectator during Lightning series

Oliver Wahlstrom, with the blistering shot and scoring potential he flashed as a rookie, could be the most intriguing Islander heading into next season.

If the 11th overall pick in 2018 continues to develop his overall game, he could earn a top-six role and evolve into a leading goal scorer.

Coach Barry Trotz was asked and answered a fair share of questions about Wahlstrom during the just-completed playoff run, namely, why wasn’t he in the lineup once he recovered from a lower-body injury suffered in Game 5 of the first round?

Instead, Trotz continued to use grinder Leo Komarov on top-line center Mathew Barzal’s left wing while keeping Travis Zajac on third-line center Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s right wing along with fellow ex-Devil Kyle Palmieri.