New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom filed for arbitration over the weekend. While it sounds crazy at first, we’ll explain why this move benefits both Wahlstrom and the Islanders as the offseason unfolds.
Plus, some good news about where the Islanders cap situation in a year if things go the way they’re going and Lou Lamoriello doesn’t make mistakes.
And, we discuss the Isles biggest need moving forward that would help this team maximize its current assets and players this season.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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16 Comments
I feel bad for wally bc he got hurt thus year and the team has been playing pretty bad but hopefully he where ever he goes he does awesome wally the isles fans wish you the best brother ty
Why? 26 doesn't deserve a raise. Louzer is too stubborn to admit his draft mistake so he tendered 26 so he couldn't sign with another team. Best scenario would be for 26 to win arbitration so louzer can't fit him under the roughly $ 1 mill. cap savings left. Then louzer could just walk away from 26. And the other draft bust 10 needs a new deal too. Gonna be hard to fit both under the cap especially with 27, 44 still on roster wasting $12 mill. Isles already have too many unproductive bums up front not producing so why waste a roster spot on 26 who has been with isles for six years now. If he hasn't gotten it by now he never will and has no trade value. Time to let 26 go louzer.
And 29, 21 would both be good tdl bait yet if isles are middling in playoff race again louzer wont move either one and will re-sign both. And either traded or left as ufa's would free up $11 mill. in cap space. I wouldn't trust louzer to do the right thing and get the assets he could for both and instead will give costly extentions further crippling isles cap plus the last years of 27, 44 taking up $12 mil. in cap space and 8 needing a new deal (28 too) which will be easy. Louzer will just give 8 a 7-8 year max deal to add to his nhl high of 7-8 year max deals. And you could give louzer all the cap savings in the world and it wouldn't matter. He'd fk it away just as quick as he got it by overpaying for more useless bums since he can't get a good ufa. Louzer has never been fiscally responsible in the 20 year cap era. I wouldn't expect him to start now. Too bad because next season's ufa crop will be the best ever. leon, marner, ehlers, crosby, raatanan, pj judas just to name a few. And '25 in theory sounds good with expiring contracts if isles had the re-inforcements ready to take their place. But they dont. elc's don't take up much cap space so louzer loses again trying to fill those spots with re-inforcements he doesn't have as of now. Just marginal ahl'ers is it. It would be better to build for future and move 29, 21, and go for a high lottery pick in a forward laden '25 draft. 44, 27 have no value until one year is left on deals. Get assets, high '25 pick, and clear cap room and go for mcd in '26-haha to that. 21, 29 off books after next season. 27, 44 off the books after '25-'26 = $23 mill. in cap space.
Gil, I don’t blame wahly one bit. He’s better off getting away from senile Lou. The roster is already set. The guy heading back to Russia is capable, Iskhakov. But the fossil treats the youth horribly.
Duclair,Bo,barzy
Max,Nelson,palmieri
Lee,jgp,engvall
Maclean,Casey,fasching
Dobson,Pelech
Romanov,pulock
Reilly,mayfield
Ex: holmstrom,gauthier,bolduc
Drop the puck here comes number 5!
Perhaps best thing about Wally filing arbitration is that it opens a 2nd buyout window, if Lou uses it. I would find a way to get rid of Engvall, typical looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane guy. Hopefully, Lou says, that cap is in good spit next year & that's the best time to step down and allow a new GM to go to work. Bottom 6 toughness is vital. Yes, need another top 6, need more speed, need more hitting, needed more of a lot.
I wonder how you haven't gone up the charts with this one
Well two things happen and expose the islanders- 1. If Wally does well else where the coaching staff failed them 2. If Wally fails Lou again picked poorly in the draft.
Sadly I think the roster now is the same that we’ll see on the ice this coming season which means another failed season and another off season where we fans pray Lou finally retires. He’s like Biden at this point everyone wants him to leave but his ego won’t allow it. Just think when he’s gone we are going to suffer ANOTHER rebuild. Honestly don’t think I can watch another season on poor to mediocre play. My friend bought us Florida Stanley Cup winner shirts lol!! Because jokingly I said this is my other team with the ties to islanders – Torrey, Potvinand then being so happy for Okoposo! I may be watching them more this year, at least I won’t be as depressed lol
Well two things happen and expose the islanders- 1. If Wally does well else where the coaching staff failed them 2. If Wally fails Lou again picked poorly in the draft.
Sadly I think the roster now is the same that we’ll see on the ice this coming season which means another failed season and another off season where we fans pray Lou finally retires. He’s like Biden at this point everyone wants him to leave but his ego won’t allow it. Just think when he’s gone we are going to suffer ANOTHER rebuild. Honestly don’t think I can watch another season on poor to mediocre play. My friend bought us Florida Stanley Cup winner shirts lol!! Because jokingly I said this is my other team with the ties to islanders – Torrey, Potvinand then being so happy for Okoposo! I may be watching them more this year, at least I won’t be as depressed lol. Another sad situation is the rangers will be better and the devils will def be better so once again the islanders are the bottom feeders
Exactly what you’re saying Gil is why I can’t wait until 2025 I think a lot will happen a lot of players will and should be gone and maybe Lou will finally retire . Palmeri should be let lose as well as Lee. Brock will be old so maybe a 2-3 yr deal. I’m no gm but I’d pay for Lee’s plane ticket out!
I liked Holmstrom and think maybe him centered by Maclean could be a nice new beginning of a fourth line
Good 🌄, Gil, how are you? Oliver Wahlstrom got hurt, never recovered, and may not have gotten along with either Lane Lambert or Patrick Roy, so he files for arbitration. Wherever he goes, I wish him well. Lou Lamoriello's going to do something with 3 free Agents, as well as the rest of the free Agents so he can free up their Cap space. Lou Lamoriello should be more aggressive with his dealings. The Islanders need another Top 6 Foward, and I hope they get one. HAPPY 🎂, DOUG RAMBAUGH. He was traded to The MM North ⭐ for JP Parisie, one of many traded that would change The Islanders FOR LIFE. Hear from you later, Gil, and LET'S GO ISLANDERS.
The fact he filed for arbitration has basically signed a one way ticket off the Islanders not that he had a chance to be in the top 6! Scratch him as a zero and Lou will let him walk becoming a UFA. Perhaps he might come around on some other team! Another wasted asset. He looks so disinterested on the ice for some reason. Perhaps he will wake up but not here on Long Island
I am all for player development our players development program sucks hopefully it will improve with Roy, I hope he goes to another team and turns into a great forward and has a successful career, we all watch potential players shut out, I don’t think it should work this way, thanks great show Gil , LGI
Good morning team. Gil, interesting topic today. It's no secret, I like Wally. I think he has a very good, heavy shot, and he can hit all parts of the net, as well as set up his ice mates. This season basically showed, management doesn't have enough confidence, in his play, to let him play. Yes, I agree. Arbitration does help both Wally and the Islanders. I really hate to see him go, but it may be for the best at this point. I do want him to "light it up" where ever he lands. He did wear the Islander jersey, so I will be cheering him on. Except if he's wearing that other NY team's jersey LOL. Everyone have a great day! See you all again very soon. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Good luck to Wally. I still think he'll figure it out.
I feel like adding a Tyler Johnson to the bottom six for cheap may be a decent option…get through this year and make playoffs is reasonable expectation….next year all excuses for Lou come to an end when all that cap space opens
Washington, Pittsburgh or Columbus could use Wahlstrom on bottom six line?