The Boston Bruins are eyeing Oliver Wahlstrom from the New York Islanders to boost their scoring depth. This offseason, the Bruins have been highly active, trading Linus Ullmark and spending a franchise-record $92 million in free agency, acquiring key players like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Despite these moves, they still need an additional goal scorer, aside from finalizing a contract extension with restricted free agent goalie Jeremy Swayman.
General Manager Don Sweeney emphasized fortifying the defense, considering it the team’s strength, while hinting at the possibility of squeezing more offense from the current lineup. David Pastrnak remains the only player on the roster to have scored over 30 goals last season. While prospects Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov show promise, they are yet to prove themselves, and most top free agents have already signed with other teams.
Oliver Wahlstrom, drafted 11th overall in 2018 by the Islanders, has struggled to find consistent playing time due to a crowded forward group and injuries. In 193 career games, he has scored 33 goals and 34 assists. Last season, recovering from a lower-body injury, he managed only six points in 32 games. Wahlstrom, now 24, is on a qualifying offer again, with an arbitration hearing scheduled for August 1. The Islanders, constrained by the salary cap, might consider trading him, and the Bruins could acquire him for a low draft pick.
While the Bruins also have salary cap concerns, they have $8.64 million remaining, which they need mostly for Swayman’s contract. However, they don’t need to be cap-compliant until the season starts and can make adjustments after training camp. Acquiring Wahlstrom would be a low-risk, high-reward move. If he doesn’t make the team, his presence will foster competition in training camp, and if he thrives, the Bruins will gain a player with an elite shot on a budget-friendly contract. This may not be their first choice, but it’s a viable option given their current roster needs.
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