Player Discussion: Oliver Wahlstrom

[Throttle]

I am pretty sure I saw him in warm ups today before the game. Maybe Trotz playing mind games.

He doesn’t need to play until there is a reason for it. TBH, isles shouldn’t want a reason for him to return to the lineup.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

He doesn’t need to play until there is a reason for it. TBH, isles shouldn’t want a reason for him to return to the lineup.

He has been out due to his injury. If he can play, he should. He adds an element to the team, and he is physical.

 

[TommytheCat]

He has been out due to his injury. If he can play, he should. He adds an element to the team, and he is physical.

zajac adds an element too … i don’t think barry messes with the lineup

 

[RMimagery]

zajac adds an element too … i don’t think barry messes with the lineup...

...unless they fall behind in the series.

Then it's Wally and Ilya time.

But hopefully that doesn't happen.

 

[doublechili]

Q: If Wahlstrom plays, who sits? And what line gets tinkered with?

A: at this point, no one and none.

 

[19 in a row]

As much as I love Wally and he is a big part of our future, I can't see making a move unless momentum switches. Is he more talented then Zajac and Leo? Absolutely, but those two players are adding some grit that has worked to this point. We all know that Barry generally doesn't tinker when things are going well. Nice to have Wally as an option if we need him, but I expect same lines in game 2. (still on a high from game 1).

 

[Tres Peleches]

People really want to put Wally in now? I mean, I get it, but the team is playing great. It’s not like he’s gonna get Wally Pipp’ed by Travis Zajac

 

[2ndGenIslander]

wally on permanent reserves for now, no way we tinker with what's working

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Absolutely, Wahlstrom should sit until changes are needed in the line up. Zajac has been so good in his place, I want him back next season on a Greene type of deal. Komarov has been terrific this playoff run also, he is a winning player, that contributes in so many other ways, if he had a scoring touch, he would probably be a 5M player instead of a 3M dollar one. That's the dilemma.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I was one of the more disgruntled and probably at times, obnoxious posters when Wally was out of the lineup in favor of Leo. I have come around to accept that this is a process and am at peace with the deployment of our forwards.

Unless we are absolutely starved for offense, there is no justification for inserting him in the lineup at this point in time. The team is completely in sync and carried over the momentum from the BOS series.

If Wahlstrom does get some ice , i'll be happy for him but it would probably be in response to the team skidding or an injury, which none of us want to see. I love Wahlstrom and think he will be our top goal scorer moving forward.

 

[danteipp]

Having Wahlstrom in reserve and (presumably) here for a long time, versus having to play guys like Brassard, Knuckles or Ross on the third line, is a wonderful feeling.

 

[CaptDenisPotvin]

I was one of the more disgruntled and probably at times, obnoxious posters when Wally was out of the lineup in favor of Leo. I have come around to accept that this is a process and am at peace with the deployment of our forwards.

Unless we are absolutely starved for offense, there is no justification for inserting him in the lineup at this point in time. The team is completely in sync and carried over the momentum from the BOS series.

If Wahlstrom does get some ice , i'll be happy for him but it would probably be in response to the team skidding or an injury, which none of us want to see. I love Wahlstrom and think he will be our top goal scorer moving forward.

I did think outside of Barzal's breakaway goal the 1st line looked disjointed on offense for much of the game. Komarov seemed to be out of play a few times where Ebs or Barzal thought Leo was gonna be but wasn't or was a step slow.....we can't change the lineup now, I think we are hitting out stride as a team at the right time. Wally will get his shot, more than likely it will be a full time role next year when someone gets plucked by Seattle though.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I did think outside of Barzal's breakaway goal the 1st line looked disjointed on offense for much of the game. Komarov seemed to be out of play a few times where Ebs or Barzal thought Leo was gonna be but wasn't or was a step slow.....we can't change the lineup now, I think we are hitting out stride as a team at the right time. Wally will get his shot, more than likely it will be a full time role next year when someone gets plucked by Seattle though.

True. From my perspective, Leo's stone hands stick out more to me than his skating. It is also about reading the plays , not so much physical ability. Leo is not a bad skater at all but he's definitely a North-South guy and doesn't interpret or think the game the way Barzal & Eberle do.

That line is going to remain disjointed to a degree due to this, however, the team as a whole is playing great. I do think Wahlstrom will secure a permanent spot moving forward but wouldn't be surprised to see him pay his dues on the 3rd line with JGP and proving he is 200-ft approved before earning a promotion to a top-6 role.

 

[Metnut]

If Wahlstrom comes in I think it’ll be for Leo on Line 1 and not on line 3 given how well that line is buzzing.

I’d prefer Wahlstrom on line 1 over Leo, but obviously Trotz knows what he’s doing and would be great to keep winning games with the current group.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

I did think outside of Barzal's breakaway goal the 1st line looked disjointed on offense for much of the game. Komarov seemed to be out of play a few times where Ebs or Barzal thought Leo was gonna be but wasn't or was a step slow.....we can't change the lineup now, I think we are hitting out stride as a team at the right time. Wally will get his shot, more than likely it will be a full time role next year when someone gets plucked by Seattle though.

Leo had his stone hands all over Tampa on Pulocks goal as well. They are doing just fine with Leo. Obviously great to have depth in Wally.

 

[doublechili]

It's not just that they lost and Zajac took a couple of penalties, but I thought the Isles had a handful of opportunities to shoot one-timers but held back. So it might be time to bring Wahly back to get a bit of "shoot first" element into the lineup.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Leo had his stone hands all over Tampa on Pulocks goal as well. They are doing just fine with Leo. Obviously great to have depth in Wally.

It's a trade off with Leo, he probably saved a goal last night on the Hedman block, maybe Wally puts in a goal last night. Maybe he doesn't block that shot.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

It's not just that they lost and Zajac took a couple of penalties, but I thought the Isles had a handful of opportunities to shoot one-timers but held back. So it might be time to bring Wahly back to get a bit of "shoot first" element into the lineup.

Trotz is going to like to have the faceoff versatility at home when he puts the Trade Dead Line out against Point - Kuch - Palat though, right?

Especially if JGP is banged up.

 

[doublechili]

Trotz is going to like to have the faceoff versatility at home when he puts the Trade Dead Line out against Point - Kuch - Palat though, right?

Especially if JGP is banged up.

Yeah, there's definitely a trade off involved. If I had to bet I'd say Zajac stays in and Wahly watches, but it's not a sure thing like it was 24 hours ago IMO.

 

[Islander Class]

It's a trade off with Leo, he probably saved a goal last night on the Hedman block, maybe Wally puts in a goal last night. Maybe he doesn't block that shot.

Yep. Plus seems like Uncle Leo was getting under TBs skin last night. I’m all for any distractions to their game/rhythm.

 

[Goombha]

The most important element in this series is the Isles staying out of the box. I believe Zajac sits for Wahlstrom for that reason alone.

 

[Sparksrus3]

...

Then it's Wally and Ilya time.

.

Like the Heals and Flats show

 

[Throttle]

Wally the savior for Isles fans after one bad game…

 

[beach]

Q: If Wahlstrom plays, who sits? And what line gets tinkered with?

A: at this point, no one and none.

To be honest, I'd sit Ebs. He's been invisible.

 

[doublechili]

To be honest, I'd sit Ebs. He's been invisible.

Maybe, but Eberle has the ability to a greater extent than maybe anyone on the team to go from horrible to good in 1 game.