VANCOUVER — When the Bruins gather for their workout Monday morning in Calgary, the new Bostonian on the block, Oliver Wahlstrom, is expected to be on the ice for his first reps as a Black-and-Gold puck slinger.
Wahlstrom has a legit NHL shot. He can bring the heat.
“He’s a great shooter … a very dangerous shot — almost like a big Pasta, the way he can shoot a puck,” noted Bruins captain Brad Marchand, following the
club’s 5-1, confidence-restoring win Saturday night in Vancouver.
With his trademark devilish grin, Marchand turned David Pastrnak’s way in the dressing room and referred to his pal as “Little Wahlie.”
Little Wahlie, the big shooter with No. 88 on his back, posted a season-high 1-3–4 in the convincing win over the Canucks, snapping a two-game losing streak. If he actually heard the tease Marchand tossed his way, it rolled off like water down a sea otter’s back in nearby English Bay.
Wahlstrom, 24, was acquired Saturday off waivers from the Islanders, where he has spent the better part of five years trying to mold his shot and overall game into regular NHL work. On Friday, the Islanders placed him on waivers, confirmation that GM Lou Lamoriello didn’t feel the former Boston College winger would grow into the scorer he was projected to be when they made him the 11th pick in the 2018 draft.
Now, possibly as early as Tuesday night against the Flames, the Bruins and Wahlstrom will begin to find if there is a fit for him.
“I’ve talked to him already,” said Marchand, asked postgame what, as captain, he would tell Wahlstrom about joining the Bruins. “He’s excited. We’re excited to have him. He’s a real good player. I’ve really liked his game. I think he’ll fit the team well.”
Noting that there will be an adjustment period for Wahlstrom, true of any player changing teams, Marchand added, “You don’t want to overload him … just let him know how excited we are to have him here, be part of the group, get him involved in reps. … He should be a great addition.”
Wahlstrom’s shot, again, added Marchand, is “a weapon.”
Marc McLaughlin, whose first goal of the season on Saturday boosted the Bruins’ lead to 4-0 in the second period, was Wahlstrom’s roommate at BC during the 2018-19 season.
That went well, a reporter kidded McLaughlin postgame, because he must have been the reason Wahlstrom left before the Eagles finished that season.
“Yeah, no … he moved on,” said McLaughlin with a laugh. “He moved on to the NHL, so I don’t blame him.”
Wahlstrom opted to turn pro in the spring of 2019 after delivering 8-11–19 in 36 games. He went on to play 50 games for AHL Bridgeport and then total a modest 36-35–71 over his 220 NHL games in his years with the Islanders before they cut him.
“He’s such a great kid,” said McLaughlin, who did not play on the same line with Wahlstrom at the Heights. “We had a really good time together for that one year. I was texting him, welcoming him to the team, the city … he has ties to New England and I think he is super excited to be coming back. And I think it’s great he gets a fresh start, a new look. I think he’s going to be a good addition.”
Like Marchand, McLaughlin identified a booming shot as the signature trait of Wahlstrom’s game.
“It’s lethal,” he said. “Everyone knows that … the more he can get that off and play his game that way, I think he’s going to be great.”
Having a shot is one thing. The key, though, is employing it effectively. To date, Wahlstrom’s best goal-scoring season produced only 13 tallies. Which is to say there is more to scoring than shooting— lots more.
It’s now interim coach Joe Sacco’s job to find where Wahlstrom best fits, likely at his natural right wing spot, and to find ways for him to get the most out of his No. 1 skill.
“He’s got to find his ice out there, for sure,” said Sacco, “whether it’s off the rush or in-zone. He’s got to be able to create some space for himself —just like goals scorers do in this league. And I’m not comparing him to anyone. But if he’s going to be a guy who can help us offensively, he’s got to find his ice in the offensive zone.“
The Bruins, with their five spot Saturday, increased their goal total to 82 through 32 games. As of Sunday morning, only five teams had scored fewer goals. All shots welcome, big or small or in between.