First-round pick likely to be traded despite new contract

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Daniel Lucente
July 27, 2024 (1:39 PM)

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Former first-round pick Oliver Wahlstrom and the New York Islanders have just agreed to a one-year contract, but he may still be on the trading block.

The restricted free agent Wahlstrom earned a $1 million contract extension and avoided having to meet with an arbitrator. That's a slight increase from the $874,000 salary he was making last season.

#Isles News: The New York Islanders have signed Oliver Wahlstrom to a one-year contract.

This contract signing doesn't mean that Wahlstrom will necessarily be remaining with the team, as the Islanders are now over the salary cap and GM Lou Lamoriello will need to start shedding some cash. Lamoriello has already started talking to teams about possible trades, which he began doing at the NHL entry draft last month. Wahlstrom has been at the center of these trade discussions.

Wahlstrom didn't have a great season last year as he was shaky returning from an ACL injury he suffered in 2022-23. Isles coach Patrick Roy benched him for every single game from February 26 onwards, with the exception of the final regular season game which meant nothing for the team.

Wahlstrom finished the season with two goals and four assists in the 32 games he played. Numbers like that, combined with being a constant healthy scratch, won't really help his trade value much unfortunately

Credit HockeyFeed:
First-rounder on the trade block despite brand new contract?!