Stefen Rosner
On Mar. 27, New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom was given a chance to play alongside Mathew Barzal, a potential dynamic duo that could take the NHL by storm for years to come.
But it has not been smoothing sailing for the 21-year-old Wahlstrom, especially as of late.
Over the last three games Wahlstrom has played very little and after two periods of play on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he did not touch the ice again until the teams left the ice after the shootout.
Say what you want about New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz and the handling of Oliver Wahlstrom recently and this season. Has the leash been short?
Yeah, it has been.
But that’s not to say that it isn’t just. Trotz demands his players to learn and understand the system, especially his young players.
A few days ago, Trotz was rather honest about Wahlstrom’s game, telling the media that he needed him to be better and that sometimes he gets paralyzed after mistakes, but that it’s all part of that learning process.
That was before the punishment against Pittsburgh, as Trotz had seen enough from no. 26 through two periods. After the game, Trotz was asked about Wahlstrom’s playing time and in a frustrated tone just said that he has to be better.
Now, after lackluster performances against the Montreal Canadiens this past Friday and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, it seemed that the game plan was for Oliver Wahlstrom to watch from above on Tuesday night.
Wahlstrom remained on the ice after Tuesday’s morning skate, which is usually a sign that he would be a healthy scratch.
When Trotz was asked prior to the game if he had planned to make any personnel changes, Trotz said he had contemplated one, but the player he wanted to insert into the lineup was under the weather––so Wahlstrom played.
Although the player was not named, the only logical answer is Kieffer Bellows.
The 23-year-old Bellows has been a healthy scratch for the last six games, having not played since a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Mar. 31.
Maybe it’s time for Wahlstrom to trade places with Bellows for at least a game.
On the season, Bellows has four goals and nine assists in a career-high 35 games played. HBoth Oliver Wahlstrom and Kieffer Bellows have been given chances but neither has made the most of their chances.
Although we can sit here and play armchair GM, it’s evident, given playing time, which player is in better standing with the organization in terms of future roles.
