Oliver Wahlstrom went to Sweden with hockey on pause in North America so he could skate, gain strength and drop “a lot” of weight. Kieffer Bellows went back home to Minnesota, finding ice time scarce but trying to stay ready.
The two former first-rounders are battling for playing time at Islanders’ Training Camp 2.0 and both had goals as their Blue squad won Wednesday’s scrimmage, 2-0, at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
“It’s been a lot of good learning,” Wahlstrom said. “Hopefully I can make an impact and help the team.”
Wahlstrom went without a point in nine NHL games and was returned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport to work on his defensive game.