As the 2021-22 NHL season is just a week away from commencing, the New York Islanders will look to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup after back-to-back NHL semifinal losses. However, the Metropolitan Division has been retooled this offseason. Various teams have added to their depth chart and fixed weaknesses. The Islanders have added numerous depth pieces this offseason, bringing in Zach Parise, Zdeno Chara, and Richard Panik, alongside re-signing core players Kyle Palmieri, Anthony Beauvillier, Ilya Sorokin, Adam Pelech, and Andy Greene. One of the key questions that keeps getting brought up by fans is where does Oliver Wahlstrom fit into the lineup? This can question can go along the question of if a sophomore slump is inevitable for the Islanders winger.

Last season Oliver Wahlstrom took an enormous jump for the Islanders. After only playing nine games for the Islanders during the 2019-2020 season, Wahlstrom’s true rookie year was the 2020-21 season. During the 2020-21 season, Wahlstrom played in 44 games, scoring 12 goals and registering 21 points.

This past 2020-21 season, Wahlstrom was key for the Islanders on the powerplay. What makes Wahlstrom so dangerous is his natural goal-scoring ability. He is never afraid to shoot the puck, and this shoot-first mentality was vital to him securing a role on the Islanders’ top powerplay unit., notching four goals on the powerplay, scoring clutch goals late in games as well.

During the Islanders’ Stanley Cup Playoff run, Wahlstrom skated in five games before getting injured, which then allowed for Travis Zajac to enter the lineup, and he stayed there the rest of the run. In those five games, however, Wahlstrom recorded three points.

Whenever Wahlstrom has the puck in the offensive zone, he immediately becomes a threat with his effortless natural release that freezes goaltenders. Scoring goals has always been challenging for the Islanders, as they are a defensive first team. But with Wahlstrom in the lineup, their offense becomes so much more explosive.

Moreover, the question of whether or not Wahlstrom or Palmieri secures a spot on the top line playing with Mat Barzal and Anders Lee remains. There are pros and cons for each player to play on the first line. However, head coach Barry Trotz will most likely be more lenient with Kyle Palmieri. This leaves Wahlstrom most likely to be alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zach Parise.

The question of if a sophomore slump is inevitable for Oliver Wahlstrom.

The sophomore slump is when a player declines after their rookie season. After defying expectations in their rookie season, past players have often had difficulty living up to the hype for the next season and have struggled.

NHL superstar Nathan MacKinnon in his rookie season recorded 63 points in 82 games. In his following season, MacKinnon only put up 38 points. Even Alexander Ovechkin was also affected by the sophomore slump. In his rookie season, Ovechkin scored 52 goals and recorded 106 points. In his sophomore season, Ovechkin, although he scored 46 goals, only recorded 92 points despite playing in more games. Although these are remarkable numbers, it is still a decrease from the prior season.

The Islanders’ additional depth signings make life harder for Wahlstrom on the Islanders. Barry Trotz has more options when it comes to who he decides to put on the ice. Standards and expectations will only be higher for Wahlstrom as he continues to gain more NHL experience. Oliver Wahlstrom will need to immediately make his presence known on the ice and make an impact with the Islanders from the start if he wants to secure a permanent spot in the lineup, which could be the first step in avoiding a sophomore slump.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.