Oliver Wahlstrom Seeks Fresh Start with Bruins After Islanders Stint

BOSTON — Oliver Wahlstrom admitted that it was “really healthy” for him to get a fresh start with the Bruins after things appeared to be headed nowhere with the Islanders. The 23-year-old forward, who was drafted by the Islanders in 2018, has yet to score a point for the Bruins but remains optimistic about his new opportunity.

Wahlstrom, a New England native, grew up rooting for the Bruins and now finds himself playing on their third line. Despite his lack of production so far, he recorded several scoring chances in his 12:58 of ice time during Sunday’s game against his former team. “Just to see a different type of culture and things like that, it was really beneficial for me,” Wahlstrom said before the game.

The Islanders exposed Wahlstrom to waivers earlier this season due to a cap crunch caused by Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair coming off long-term injured reserve. The Bruins claimed him, hoping to unlock his potential. “He shoots the puck really good,” said Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock. “That’s been one of his skills ever since I’ve played with him. He can be a big threat when he gets the puck around the net.”

Sunday’s game also marked the first time this season that Islanders forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri played on separate lines. Nelson centered Anders Lee and Barzal, while Palmieri joined Duclair and Bo Horvat. The lineup changes seemed to pay off, with three of the four lines posting expected goals ratios above 50 percent.

Meanwhile, the Bruins continue to navigate injuries on their blue line. With Hampus Lindholm sidelined, Jordan Oesterle has stepped in as a steady fill-in, averaging 18:07 of ice time per game. However, the team is expected to prioritize Parker Wortherspoon’s physical presence once Lindholm returns.

As Wahlstrom adjusts to his new team, the Bruins are hopeful he can find consistency and contribute to their playoff push. “The Islanders were good to me,” Wahlstrom said. “They drafted me, gave me a taste, my first five years, that was good. But this is a new chapter.”