Oliver Wahlstrom’s Trade Potential this Offseason One of the major storylines of this offseason is the potential trade involving Oliver Wahlstrom. The 24-year-old is a pending free agent, with his one-year, $874,125 contract having expired. Starting July 1, any NHL team can negotiate with him and his agent, and he is expected to command a bit over a million dollars annually.
Wahlstrom’s Journey So Far
After a season at Boston College, where he scored 19 points in 36 games, including eight goals, Wahlstrom was ready for the NHL draft. Known for his exceptional skating, quick acceleration, agility, and impressive playmaking and stickhandling skills, Wahlstrom caught the attention of many NHL teams. His quick-release snapshot also made him a formidable offensive threat. These attributes led the New York Islanders to select him 11th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.
However, Wahlstrom’s NHL career has not met expectations. In five seasons, he has played only 193 games, scoring 67 points, including 34 goals. His primary weakness is his defensive play, often appearing passive and lacking in physical engagement and backchecking.
Should the Pittsburgh Penguins Trade for Wahlstrom?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown interest in acquiring Wahlstrom, but the critical question remains whether they should pursue this trade. The Penguins have struggled with their bottom-six forwards since their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. Head coach Mike Sullivan and General Manager Kyle Dubas aim to improve this area over the summer.
Wahlstrom’s speed and offensive skills make him a promising candidate for a bottom-six winger role. At 24 years old, he offers a much-needed youthful boost to the Penguins, who had the NHL’s oldest team last season with an average age of 30.8 years. If Wahlstrom can perform well in Pittsburgh, he could become a valuable asset in both the short and long term.
The key factor in a Wahlstrom trade is his age and affordability. With the Penguins’ roster already featuring high-salary players like their core trio, Erik Karlsson, Reilly Smith, and Rickard Rakell, Wahlstrom’s expected salary of just over a million dollars is appealing.
Additionally, playing for a fast-paced team like the Penguins could improve Wahlstrom’s defensive game. Coach Sullivan and new assistant David Quinn emphasize a 200-foot game, and Sullivan has a track record of developing players. Wahlstrom’s offensive talents could also be an asset on the second powerplay unit, an area where the Penguins struggled, finishing third-to-last in the league in powerplay percentage last season.
