The first line right wing spot is up for grabs this preseason after the Seattle Kraken snatched Jordan Eberle from the Islanders in the expansion draft.

The Islanders’ first line of Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal and right wing Jordan Eberle was one of the most analytically sound lines in the NHL at one point. Luckily, the Islanders have a few capable options to take Eberle’s spot, but there is one clear choice: Oliver Wahlstrom.

It’s time for the 21-year-old to take his development to the next level. After all, he’s the perfect fit on that line. A natural goal-scorer like Wahlstrom should thrive playing next to Barzal, a highly talented playmaker, and Lee, who can beat just about any NHL player in a puck battle behind the net or in front of it.

I can already hear the counter-arguments: “he’s too young,” “he only had 12 goals and 21 points last year,” “head coach Barry Trotz scratched him in the playoffs and now he’s going to play first line minutes!?”

But Wahlstrom is a first line player. Playing someone with his ability on the third line, usually a line reserved for two-way forwards, would be counter-intuitive. I think that’s why the Islanders brought back Palmieri: he fits much better on the third line.

During the playoffs, I thought Palmieri should play on the first line. He scored when Trotz gave him the opportunity to play with Barzal and Eberle. But it’s different now. Wahlstrom is healthy and we don’t need to worry about Leo Komarov starting the season there, I hope. Having Palmieri on the third line is a luxury. Playing Wahlstrom there is misuse.

That’s also part of the reason I think losing Eberle to Seattle wasn’t all bad. He had three years left on a contract paying him $5.5 million per year. That’s three years of holding your top young player away from quality minutes. The alternative was losing Josh Bailey, an all-situation player who has been with the team his entire NHL career. I think the Islanders made the right choice.

Trotz might surprise us when the season starts in October, as he did when he kept Komarov on the top line after acquiring Palmieri. After all, we know that he’s not overly fond of young players. But he will undoubtedly give both Palmieri and Wahlstrom good looks during the preseason. I think it’s Wahlstrom’s job to take and one he deserves based on his growth last season and overall career trajectory.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.