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At 11th Overall Islanders take Oliver Wahlstrom

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NittanyIsle said:
No, but I'd be pretty surprised if Bellows didn't make the squad at this point.
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The good thing with Lou and Barry Trotz on board now is that any prospect who makes the team will have earned it and be in a much better position to succeed than they would have been under our previous management regime.

I think Bellows and Wahlstrom may have an outside chance, but no matter what, it won't be gifted to them. A "good" camp and preseason won't be good enough. They will have to far exceed what we're expecting at this point from them, to make the Opening Night Roster.
 
I'm really hoping one of Dobson or Wahlstrom surprise at camp and make the team. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see a 18 year old crack the NHL at first asking these days. Just the boost this team could need chemistry wise to surprise this year.
 
The Winter Soldier said:
I'm really hoping one of Dobson or Wahlstrom surprise at camp and make the team. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see a 18 year old crack the NHL at first asking these days. Just the boost this team could need chemistry wise to surprise this year.
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I don't see it. I think we're in the middle of a rebuild and I don't want Wahlstrom or Dobson here to deal with that. Both will star for their respective teams at the WJC, that will be must watch for Isles fans.
 
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PWJunior said:
I don't see it. I think we're in the middle of a rebuild and I don't want Wahlstrom or Dobson here to deal with that. Both will star for their respective teams at the WJC, that will be must watch for Isles fans.
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Yes, this could be the very case. Nothing in today's game would surprise me though. I have seen my fair share of 18 year olds make an impact in the NHL. I think Dobson is more realistic. But I would not be surprised if one of these guys makes the Isles team out of camp. When they were picked I knew the Isles were getting 2 players that should have gone higher. Junior players are more ready than when Junior players were automatically returned. In the OHL/WHL/QMJHL they are playing pro systems from a very young age. It just wouldn't surprise me seeing what we have seen recently with other 18 year olds. Nothing wrong with going back too. But I wouldn't be scared to keep them up if they earn it. JMHO.
 
PWJunior said:
I don't see it. I think we're in the middle of a rebuild and I don't want Wahlstrom or Dobson here to deal with that. Both will star for their respective teams at the WJC, that will be must watch for Isles fans.
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No reason this year to see them unless it's that 8 or 9 game tryout. Wait til we have figured out what we are doing with Lee and Eberle and let them compete the following year.
 
The Winter Soldier said:
I'm really hoping one of Dobson or Wahlstrom surprise at camp and make the team. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see a 18 year old crack the NHL at first asking these days. Just the boost this team could need chemistry wise to surprise this year.
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Dobson does not seem ready weight wise, Wahlstrom on the other hand I cannot see since they just have so many damn forwards.
 
The Winter Soldier said:
I'm really hoping one of Dobson or Wahlstrom surprise at camp and make the team. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see a 18 year old crack the NHL at first asking these days. Just the boost this team could need chemistry wise to surprise this year.
Click to expand...
I really don't think either one makes the team this year, or maybe even next year. And I'm fine with that. Let them advance at their own speed. That being said, I couldn't be any happier with these picks, I thought Wahlstrom had a big chance at being in the top 5 of the draft, so when he fell to 7-8 or 9, thought for sure one of those teams would pick him.

Watched the draft with my uncle, who is a HUGE NHL Draft fan (like myself), and a huge Ranger's fan. When Wahlstrom was falling, he was praying he would fall to the Rangers at 9. He's a HUGE Wahlstrom fan. He thinks he's going to be a stud. So it was kinda awkward/sad, watching the Rangers pass him up, and then the Isles picking him at 11. My poor uncle was devastated. Though I like Kravstov, I had him ranked after Wahlstrom, as did my uncle. Wahlstrom was his favorite.

Being an Isle's fan, I know what it's like hoping you pick a guy, and your team picks someone rated lower. That being said, watching the 2018 draft was kinda surreal. Two studs fell to the Isles, and they didn't try to prove they are the smartest guys in the room by taking the guys rated lower, they just took the 2 studs who fell into their laps (like they should). It was one of my happiest drafts ever. Bode Wilde was a great pick in the 2nd round as well.

Dobson reminds me of Pietrangelo of St Louis, he's going to eventually be a cornerstone of the Isle's defense with Pulock.
 
The Winter Soldier said:
I'm really hoping one of Dobson or Wahlstrom surprise at camp and make the team. It wouldn't be a major surprise to see a 18 year old crack the NHL at first asking these days. Just the boost this team could need chemistry wise to surprise this year.
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Honestly, I'd be happy if just Bellows impresses. He's the one i'm most concerned about. I hope he comes and has a good camp so I can breathe a little bit easier about our prospect pool.
 
LeapOnOver said:
Honestly, I'd be happy if just Bellows impresses. He's the one i'm most concerned about. I hope he comes and has a good camp so I can breathe a little bit easier about our prospect pool.
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Me too. The kid has a quick release. Maybe he can. BTW love the Avatar. :thumbu:
 
LeapOnOver said:
Honestly, I'd be happy if just Bellows impresses. He's the one i'm most concerned about. I hope he comes and has a good camp so I can breathe a little bit easier about our prospect pool.
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Why concerned? He stumbled in the NCAA a little but tore it up with the Hawks, and at the World Juniors. Bellows will start in the AHL, we have too many forwards and potentials to make the team such as Ho Sang are ahead.
 
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Thrasymachus said:
Why concerned? He stumbled in the NCAA a little but tore it up with the Hawks, and at the World Juniors (and in da beauty league). Bellows will start in the AHL, we have too many forwards and potentials to make the team such as Ho Sang are ahead.
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Because i'm not sold on his skill set yet. This isn't really a league where non mobile players can sit on the perimeter and score goals anymore. Just not sold on him, but of course I only get snippets of players so my opinion is not the be all end all. All I was saying is he's the one i'm going to be watching out of the prospects because he's the one i'm most concerned about.
 
LeapOnOver said:
Because i'm not sold on his skill set yet. This isn't really a league where non mobile players can sit on the perimeter and score goals anymore. Just not sold on him, but of course I only get snippets of players so my opinion is not the be all end all. All I was saying is he's the one i'm going to be watching out of the prospects because he's the one i'm most concerned about.
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I really wouldn't worry, he is a fiesty goal scorer, doesn't just sit around the perimeter. He isn't very fast but his offensive game is good enough imo

I am more concerned about Wahlly after his near invisible performance at this summer's WJC event
 
LeapOnOver said:
Because i'm not sold on his skill set yet. This isn't really a league where non mobile players can sit on the perimeter and score goals anymore. Just not sold on him, but of course I only get snippets of players so my opinion is not the be all end all. All I was saying is he's the one i'm going to be watching out of the prospects because he's the one i'm most concerned about.
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There's tons of good goal scorers who aren't great skaters who succeed in the NHL i.e. James Neal
 
He's going to need a huge development year (in all things other than offense) to make the Isles the following season. I think Dobson will make the jump at least a full year earlier.
 
There is nothing wrong with a year of development at Boston College. Oliver just turned 18 in June 13. We will have a better picture going into next training camp where he stands.

As mentioned last night, having Bellows graduate into the NHL would be great scenario if Wahlstrom is ready next year. Ideally one rookie a year.
 
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