Islanders News: Oliver Wahlstrom re-signs (as if he had a choice)

1 year ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey  /  Read Time: 36 seconds

I’m here to destroy Rangers and chew gum, and I’m all out of gum. | Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images


The Islanders get their last key RFA’s name on the dotted line. Some actual New York Islanders news, the last summer shoe to drop: Their remaining key (restricted) free agent Oliver Wahlstrom re-signed, on a one-year deal. He didn’t really have any leverage — even less than the typical Lou RFA — thanks to his season being so severely injury shortened.
He got off to a nice start with three goals in the first two games, but his usage declined in November. He rag-dolled Tony DeAngelo, which was fun, but his long absence after an injury on the first shift against Pittsburgh on Dec. 27 means he’s still in the define-yourself phase of his career. His next contract should be more lucrative — and the cap should be higher then — at least we all can hope.
Islanders News

So yeah, Wahlstrom signs a one-year deal. The team didn’t announce AAV, of course, because beards ‘n haircuts, but Capfriendly has it at his qualifying offer, a shade over $874k. That also puts the Isles in negative cap space, so someone before training camp will have to give, or suffer a convenient “injury.” [Isles | Newsday | Post]
Former Islander and Cup-winning assistant coach Bill MacMillan has passed away at 80. He was also the first coach and GM of the Devils after they moved from Colorado. [Isles]
Chico Resch, an Isles teammate and then a Rockie-Devil too, remembers MacMillan. [Newsday]
Maybe the Islanders would be (still?) interested in declining asset Vladimir Tarasenko? If so, they’d have to make another major cap dump to make it happen. [Post]
It’s been five years since the passing of Fenov Pierre-Louis, a teenager who was a big inspiration for the direction of Anders Lee’s charitable efforts. [NHLPA]

(By the way, today and every day: Fuck cancer! I recently learned of another friend diagnosed with Stage III colorectal. It’s a cocktail of bitterness, fury, resolve.)
Elsewhere

Here are five teams that could or should be interested in Brett Pesce, if the Hurricanes and the defenseman cannot reach a deal. [Athletic]
More drama around the unpunished (but privately “settled”) sexual assault by members of the 2018 WJC team: Nike has “permanently” ended its sponsorship of Hockey Canada. [Sportsnet]
The Bruins have signed that goalie, DiPietro, but no, you have not entered a time warp and no, undoing the past is still not possible. [TSN]
The Canucks have really overhauled their blueline and it just might make a difference. [TSN]
This Maccelli guy, he’s put up a decent amount of points for the Coyotes and he’s been re-signed for three years. [NHL]
It’s like Day 18 of “Tarasenko, Dumba among top remaining free agents.” [NHL]
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