New York Islanders right wing Oliver Wahlstrom looks on against the San Jose Sharks in the second period of an NHL hockey game at UBS Arena on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The most common frustration among Islanders’ fans based upon unscientific polling of social media — other than, you know, will this team ever start winning? — regards youthful sharpshooter Oliver Wahlstrom and whether he will start logging more minutes as a top-six forward.
So asked by the fanbase and so asked of coach Barry Trotz.
The answer, which will be revealed in longform shortly, is nuanced and, as always with Trotz, rooted in a player’s defensive performance.