At 11th Overall Islanders take Oliver Wahlstrom

[PWJunior]

In the video interview he says the Islanders have been a powerhouse organization for a long time?

Noticed that too, but he was genuinely excited and happy. He got emotional in an interview with NHLN. I really liked seeing that, this was no MDC 'stink face' situation.

 

[Lame Lambert]

In the video interview he says the Islanders have been a powerhouse organization for a long time?

Add that to his “cons” list:
-Doesn’t backcheck
-Idiot

 

[impaaaaaact]

So we are going to sell Tavares on re-siging, so that he can play with Beauvillier and an 18 year old?

Yikes

Yeah, I had that thought as well, but didn't we just have a 20 year old put up 85 points and actually outscore Tavares? If Tavares stays it's because he sees a bright future with the direction of the franchise, and having lots of young talent is part of that - fixing the D is also necessary to that.

Fun fact: Lee put up 36 points the year before he went on Tavares' line - guess how many points Beau had last year? Part of the magic of JT is that pretty much everyone seems to be able to come up on that top line and find a way to put up points with him - from Matt Moulson to P.A Paranteau to Josh Bailey... don't think it's too out of the blue to suggest Beau could thrive there as well.

 

[Costigan77]

Yeah, I had that thought as well, but didn't we just have a 20 year old put up 85 points and actually outscore Tavares? If Tavares stays it's because he sees a bright future with the direction of the franchise, and having lots of young talent is part of that - fixing the D is also necessary to that.

Fun fact: Lee put up 36 points the year before he went on Tavares' line - guess how many points Beau had last year? Part of the magic of JT is that retty much everyone seems to be able to come up on that top line and find a way to put up points with him - from Matt Moulson to P.A Paranteau to Josh Bailey... don't think it's too out of the blue to suggest Beau could thrive there as well.

Beau ahhh.. Maybe makes sense. I have 3 little ones, so my brain doesn't work great. Did Beau have that big scoring output on JT's line?

 

[12Dog]

Add that to his “cons” list:
-Doesn’t backcheck
-Idiot

No
I look it as a kid who has been coached at doing interviews. Stock answers.

 

[seafoam]

What’s funny is I’ve seen Wahlstrom
backcheck in highlight videos because he’d end up scoring on the play.

 

[bioman22]

Yeah, I had that thought as well, but didn't we just have a 20 year old put up 85 points and actually outscore Tavares? If Tavares stays it's because he sees a bright future with the direction of the franchise, and having lots of young talent is part of that - fixing the D is also necessary to that.

Fun fact: Lee put up 36 points the year before he went on Tavares' line - guess how many points Beau had last year? Part of the magic of JT is that pretty much everyone seems to be able to come up on that top line and find a way to put up points with him - from Matt Moulson to P.A Paranteau to Josh Bailey... don't think it's too out of the blue to suggest Beau could thrive there as well.

But keep in mind that MB faced 2nd line talent and against better D teams he did not face #1 D center.
Also didn't Lee carry the team after JT went down a couple years back. He has leadership abilities most of us don't appreciate.

 

[nuck]

A gunslinger for sure with a monster upside. Twice the prospect Dal Colle ever was. He could turn out to be the best forward in the draft. In Edmonton we were praying for one of Wahlstrom, Dobson or Bouchard to be available and the Isles were able to grab two. Just prospects right now of course, but you have got to feel a whole lot better about about the clubs future with or without JT.

 

[PWJunior]

A gunslinger for sure with a monster upside. Twice the prospect Dal Colle ever was. He could turn out to be the best forward in the draft. In Edmonton we were praying for one of Wahlstrom, Dobson or Bouchard to be available and the Isles were able to grab two. Just prospects right now of course, but you have got to feel a whole lot better about about the clubs future with or without JT.

Oh we're all thrilled with our draft class, it's everyone else that's salty and unhappy about it.

Bouchard was a good pick for you guys, he was the best fit IMO. We already have Pulock so Dobson was preferred for us.

 

[The G Man]

Found this fun tidbit in an article on Wahlstrom ... he started on the top line of his varsity high school team in Maine and finished 3rd in scoring with 11-18-29 in 22 games.

Oh, did I mention this was when he was a 7th grader.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Found this fun tidbit in an article on Wahlstrom ... he started on the top line of his varsity high school team in Maine and finished 3rd in scoring with 11-18-29 in 22 games.

Oh, did I mention this was when he was a 7th grader.

Maine?!

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Since Dal Colle is being brought up..

What was the impression of his shot back in juniors? My recollection was that it was quick but not lethal, meaning he was quick to get it off his stick, not necessarily the velocity of the shot... but being in the soft areas was a big deal as well as he found the open space.

Whalstrom to me is a sniper a la Laine. Very different. I see Bellows as a Neal too, don't give him room.

Point being is that Dal Colle was able to pot them based on positioning and a quick release whereas Bellows and Whalstrom can beat a goalie on shooting ability alone because of the velocity and accuracy.

Do I have Dal Colle's junior rep correct? I forget.

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Yeah, I had that thought as well, but didn't we just have a 20 year old put up 85 points and actually outscore Tavares?

Yeah, but it's only relevant to the conversation after it actually happens. The odds of Wahlstrom having an impact even in the same hemisphere is slim, to say the least. You can't pencil him in there right now and have that be the plan. The prudent thing is to let him go play in a lesser league for a year, unless he's just absolutely dynamite right out of camp.

 

[steveat]

Here are some Dal Colle highlights.



I think we screwed him up because he looks faster and better than he did when he was up with the team. Hands were better..got in and fought for the puck.

Most of his goals were below the hash...He does remind me of a different kind of Nelson though...I do think he is good enough for the NHL...I just think we really messed up with his development.

 

[burana800]

Here are some Dal Colle highlights.



I think we screwed him up because he looks faster and better than he did when he was up with the team. Hands were better..got in and fought for the puck.

Most of his goals were below the hash...He does remind me of a different kind of Nelson though...I do think he is good enough for the NHL...I just think we really messed up with his development.

I think his shot was overrated quite badly.

 

[Riseonfire]

It's too bad Dal Colle isn't working out, his game is literally tailor made for JT's game.

 

[mm11]

Here are some Dal Colle highlights.



I think we screwed him up because he looks faster and better than he did when he was up with the team. Hands were better..got in and fought for the puck.

Most of his goals were below the hash...He does remind me of a different kind of Nelson though...I do think he is good enough for the NHL...I just think we really messed up with his development.

disgusting watching this. Certainly didn't look like the 4 game cup of coffee MDC I saw in the NHL.

 

[PWJunior]

It's too bad Dal Colle isn't working out, his game is literally tailor made for JT's game.

Dal Colle is like MSG (the food substance), I think he could be a nice complement to a dynamic duo. While the heavy boots and lack of compete is a massive problem, he is skilled and he is smart. He's also pretty rangy with that Brock Nelson style frame.

This is a big year for him, but if he's cheap and is waiver exempt then he's worth having in the system. He didn't really get a real opportunity last year and he was ok in limited bottom-6 action. Big year for him.

 

[Macch]

Quite sad Dal Colle hasn't worked out.

Maybe he can salvage his career as a bottom 6 player.

As long as he's part of the Isles, i'll pull for him to turn it around

 

[scott99]

I REALLY wanted the Isles to take Dal Colle. He was rated the consensus #5 in that draft, one draft guide had him at #3, none had him below #5. I didn’t want the Isles to go off the board like they usually did. My preferred players for the Isles IF they went off the board, were Ehlers and Nylander. Turns out, I wish we went off the board.

He had that hard, heavy shot, and his skating didn’t look too bad. He reminded me of a less gritty James Neal, or Max Paccioretty. Unfortunately, MDC never had that heart or passion, very similar to Reinhart. Difference between MDC and Bellows/Wahlstrom is they bring other things to the game besides goal scoring.

 

[Riseonfire]

Remember when everyone blamed our busting prospects on being rushed?

Friendly reminder that 'let them develop the right way' is not always the 'right' way.

Some prospects need time, some need to be challenged. Dal Colle got comfortable.

 

[IslandersFan17]

Remember when everyone blamed our busting prospects on being rushed?

Friendly reminder that 'let them develop the right way' is not always the 'right' way.

Some prospects need time, some need to be challenged. Dal Colle got comfortable.

I dont think it was comfort level as much as being a one trick pony who literally doesnt excell anywhere else became apparent at the higher level.

Not for nothing as a fifth overall pick, I didnt want to hear that Oshawa was rebuilding and that's why he struggled so mightily. The kid is supposed to be the straw that stirs the drink and instead hes a passenger. A passenger who seldom generated anything for him self.

All-in-all much as I loved the pick at the time, it's time to call a spade a spade and admit he just didn't have the tools to excell at the next level.

 

[boredmale]

I dont think it was comfort level as much as being a one trick pony who literally doesnt excell anywhere else became apparent at the higher level.

Not for nothing as a fifth overall pick, I didnt want to hear that Oshawa was rebuilding and that's why he struggled so mightily. The kid is supposed to be the straw that stirs the drink and instead hes a passenger. A passenger who seldom generated anything for him self.

All-in-all much as I loved the pick at the time, it's time to call a spade a spade and admit he just didn't have the tools to excell at the next level.

The fact he didn't make either Canadian World Junior Squad as a 19 and 20 year old should have sent warning signals off for us

 

[Riseonfire]

I dont think it was comfort level as much as being a one trick pony who literally doesnt excell anywhere else became apparent at the higher level.

Not for nothing as a fifth overall pick, I didnt want to hear that Oshawa was rebuilding and that's why he struggled so mightily. The kid is supposed to be the straw that stirs the drink and instead hes a passenger. A passenger who seldom generated anything for him self.

All-in-all much as I loved the pick at the time, it's time to call a spade a spade and admit he just didn't have the tools to excell at the next level.

But thats the thing. It's impossible to know if it was Dal Colle, or the slow 'correct' development. When a player busts after being brought along slowly, it's always on the player.

When a player busts after being 'rushed' its always the teams fault. Neither of these are true, I dislike the matter-of-factness.[

 

[SI90]

Still can’t believe my boy Wahlstrom is a freaking New York islander. I’m going to try and get to some BC games this upcoming season to catch him play.