I worry more about his head- when he was up here it seemed like he got rocked at least once a game.
I hope he's learned to keep his head up during his time in Providence.
Player Discussion Oliver Wahlstrom Claimed by Bruins
- Thread starter Mr. Make-Believe
- Start date
I worry more about his head- when he was up here it seemed like he got rocked at least once a game.
I hope he's learned to keep his head up during his time in Providence.
Terrier
Registered User
Playing for Bruins is dream come true for newest member
Getting claimed by the Bruins was a bit of a full-circle moment for Oliver Wahlstrom.
www.masslive.com
Dr Quincy
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- Jun 19, 2005
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Wahlstrom has 11 goals in his last 90 something games.
I don't think he's very good offensively at all.
At his age Braz hadn't even cracked a roster. The skills are there, I wouldn't count him out just yet.
Number8
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- Oct 31, 2007
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All joking aside, I'm with you. I hate the Michigan and if someone did that while I was playing I'd happily take a minimum of an Unsportsmanlike for running him.
All through out my sports life if I ever faced someone who hot dogged or tried to show me or my team up I most definitely took a number and most definitely took my shots at making a point before the game was out.
People can disagree, but if you try a Michigan you might just find an overly aggressive bastard like me who will take issue.
Number8
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Yeah but does he have an elite playmaking squad around him that drives the net relentlessly and a team that finishes goals like a wolf pack gobbles up a fallen deer?
He's gonna love playing for an offensive juggernaut like Boston.
Blowfish
Count down ...
Oliver Wahlstrom excited to don Bruins jersey for first time - The Boston Globe
The six-year veteran forward is happy to be back in New England, playing for the team he rooted for as a kid.
www.bostonglobe.com
CALGARY, Alberta — He let out a hearty laugh when apprised that Brad Marchand had already bestowed a nickname on the newest Bruin: “Big Pasta.”
“That’s outrageous,” said a smiling Oliver Wahlstrom after his first practice with his new club at the Scotiabank Saddledome Monday afternoon. “I mean, Pasta is Pasta.”
Marchand made the comparison because, like David Pastrnak, Wahlstrom is known for having a heavy shot in his arsenal.
“Obviously the shot’s there, but I’ve been working on a lot of other things in my game … And I’m excited too,” said Wahlstrom, who was claimed off waivers from the Islanders Saturday.
“I don’t know when I’m going to play, but maybe get some game action and see who I’m playing with and just go from there.”
The 6-foot-2-inch, 205-pound Wahlstrom was shuffled into several spots Monday, mainly subbing in for wingers Mark Kastelic and Trent Frederic on Charlie Coyle’s line.
Joe Sacco said no determination has been made on when or where Wahlstrom will slot into the Bruins lineup.
“Don’t read into any of that yet,” said the interim coach. “We’re just shuffling the lines a little bit.
“He rotated in with two lines today. We have not made any decisions yet as far as who’s playing or who’s not playing. We’ll decide that [Tuesday] morning, but it was an opportunity for us to see him in a full skate with the team, which was good.”
Sacco said his initial meeting with Wahlstrom, who flew direct from JFK after getting the news and landed here late Sunday night, went well.
“I just wanted to see his excitement level and I think he’s looking at it like a new opportunity, just like most players would,” said Sacco. “You get an opportunity to go somewhere else, and hopefully at some point you get a chance to show the other team what you can do.”
Wahlstrom had 2 goals and 4 points in 27 games with the Islanders.
“I think just get back to my game, and I’m really excited to work with these guys and develop as a Bruin,” said Wahlstrom, asked what he’s looking to prove with his fresh start. “I feel my game can maybe contribute a little bit here, and try to find my offensive flare again and keep playing that way.”
Like most New Englanders — Wahlstrom has lived in Quincy and Portland — he grew up a big Bruins fan.
“Marsh called me the other day and that was pretty cool,” said Wahlstrom. “I grew up watching him play in the 2011 Stanley Cup, and I know Pasta too, and just … I really don’t know if it’s sunk in yet. It’s a dream come true to be back home where my family and friends live."
Wahlstrom, who Marchand called on to lead the post-practice stretch, acknowledged it was kind of surreal to be skating in his new duds.
“It took me a while to get used to the new equipment. The new spoked-B. I think that hit me pretty hard when I was just putting on my [jersey]. I think that was a pretty cool moment to wear the Boston Bruins logo,” he said.
“And I’ve got to know a couple of these guys now. I know a few of them and it’s a really good room, so I’m excited.”
In addition to Marchand and Pastrnak, Wahlstrom has connections with Johnny Beecher from their time with the United States national team, and Parker Wotherspoon from their time in the Islanders organization.
His closest bond is with Marc McLaughlin, his old roommate at Boston College.
“So, we were tight, we played a lot of Fortnite together,” Wahlstrom said with a laugh. “He’s just a great guy to be around, so it’s a really good spot for sure.”
HustleB
Cautiously Optimistic
Right feels like to put him in Geekie and Braz are the options to ride the pine because we can’t have three of the slowest skaters in the NHL dressing together.
MetM
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- Nov 29, 2009
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He had major knee surgery a year ago? If its reduced him permanently he will
be playing in the AHL soon. If he can return to full health, he will be a 3rd liner
who might help on PP2. Very unlikely its anything else.
Jorah Marshmont
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Did he just get injured in Prov or are you talking about his shoulder from last season?
Mike C
Registered User
not to absolve wally of his shortcomings but the 3 guys you mention have a combined point total of 8. that's 8 points in 32 games for 3 "nhl"players over 32 games. not an 8 point average for that group which would be bad enough but 5 for maclean, 2 for cizikas and 1 for martin for an abhorrant low of 8 all together. granted they are 4th line guys but that tells me that maybe a new beginning will give ollie's career a much needed jumpstart
goldenblack
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- Apr 15, 2024
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I wouldn't knock what a change of scenery does, specially when its back to being close to your people.
See Debrusk, Jake.
See Debrusk, Jake.
HustleB
Cautiously Optimistic
Haha, well it wouldn't be trolling to point out that we aren't even halfway yet so it's a little premature to talk about JDB's change of scenery. If he finishes with that, okay, but he went on point tears here too and then the inevitable cold streak.
But to keep on Wahlstrom, change of scenery can work out well, and let's hope Oliver is one. There are enough reasons to think his time in NYI did not do his NHL career any favors.
BruinDust
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- Aug 2, 2005
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That and his current pace if basically the same pace he was on in 2022-23 in Boston. Same amount of ice-time too.
Mike C
Registered User
Ive always been a Wally fan but in fairness, he was kinda lumbersome to begin with. I'm sure the injuries haven't helped but he was slow by NHL standards anyway
He's got a cannon for a shot, a nose for getting the puck on net and can throw some really hard checks. If Boston plays to his strengths and tries to minimize his weaknesses, this may work out
I like the fact that it seems Marchand is already befriending him and taking him under his wing a little bit
W/r/t Mac- I'll tell you honestly I don't think he's been the same player since that surgery. These days he seldom trucks guys when the opportunity is there & the less said about his shooting the better. To me he's not as aggressive as he used to be. Whether that is a physical or mental problem or both I don't know but I miss the Mac Truck.
Bruins4Lifer
Registered User
we might see a bit of a resurgence with him, but local guys rarely work out long term in Boston. Coyle is the only exception I can think of.
