New York Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom reacts after he was unable to score on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner in a shootout at UBS Arena on Dec. 19, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Oliver Wahlstrom’s benching lasted four periods. Now, Islanders coach Barry Trotz wants to see if this latest lesson sparks some more consistent play from the sharpshooter.
There are always stops and starts in the development of such a promising young player — defenseman Noah Dobson was brought along slowly his first two seasons before blossoming this season — and Trotz has borne the brunt of social-media criticism for not relying on Wahlstrom more or for not placing the former first-rounder on top-line center Mathew Barzal’s right wing.