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Despite signing Oliver Wahlstrom to a one-year contract earlier this week, the New York Islanders are still expected to move on from the former first-round pick ahead of the 2024-25 National Hockey League campaign.
There were high hopes for the American when he was selected No. 11 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, but the 24-year-old has struggled mightily to live up to them. He was futile offensively with the Islanders last year, chipping in just two goals and six points over 32 games.
Over his NHL career, Wahlstrom is at 34 goals and 67 points in 193 career games. The Portland, ME native was excellent for the United States National Team Development Program in 2017-18, scoring 22 goals and 45 points in 26 games while leading the USHL with a +30 rating.
But that success hasn’t translated to the NHL, and it’s no secret that the club is looking to move on from this player.
“It would still be a surprise, however, if Wahlstrom was on the opening night roster,” reported The New York Post’s Ethan Sears earlier this week. “Barring a substantive improvement in his play… a contract does not change the underlying reality that Wahlstrom being on the (Islanders) NHL roster is a long shot.”
Wahlstrom likely needs to have a top-six look in order to have success, and there isn’t much room in Long Island after the Islanders signed Anthony Duclair in free agent frenzy. Along with Bo Horvat, Mat Barzal, Anders Lee, Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson, there is clearly not a ton of space at the top of the forward group.
Islanders and Oliver Wahlstrom headed for a split
It seemed clear that the Islanders and Wahlstrom were headed for a split after he was a healthy scratch for every game after February 24. He played in the last game of the regular-season — which was a meaningless contest — and he has just never been part of Patrick Roy’s plans since the legendary goaltender turned coach was hired at the end of January.
Isles GM Lou Lamoriello also hasn’t been shy about his desire to move on from Wahlstrom. But it needs to be for the right price.
“He’s been working very hard all summer and if we can get him an opportunity [with another team], because it hasn’t worked out [we will], but we’re not just going to give him away,” said the executive, per Sears. “He’s still a hockey player. He, unfortunately, went through an injury which takes a long time to recover. I think he’s there. We’ll just wait and see.”
Wahlstrom tore his UCL about halfway through 2022-23, and he’s struggled in his recovery. On the games where he wasn’t watching from the press box, he was averaging just 11 minutes of ice time per game.
It will be interesting to see if New York can find any suitors for the former top prospect, or whether it will be back to the American Hockey League for Wahlstrom in 2024-25.
The Islanders were beaten in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes for the second consecutive time in 2024.
More must-reads:
- Adam Lowry's contract extension with Jets is another blow to 2026 NHL free agency
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TODAY'S BEST
Four NHL players who could be traded soon
The NHL season is just about a quarter of the way through, and the playoff race is as tight as ever. As of Wednesday, just four points separate the last-place team (Buffalo) from the second wild-card team (Tampa Bay) in the Eastern Conference. On the Western side of things, there are six teams within three points of the last playoff spot. That does leave, however, a clear-cut bottom three teams in the league: the St. Louis Blues (17 points), the Nashville Predators (16 points) and the Calgary Flames (13 points). Although the trade deadline is still months away, several players are on the block and may be moved earlier to maximize their return. Let's take a look at four players who could be on the move soon. Rasmus Andersson, defense, Calgary Flames Andersson's name has been in the trade rumors since last season. A UFA this upcoming offseason, it's unlikely he re-signs with the Flames, who are in the process of retooling. One snag? Andersson has a six-team no-trade list, meaning he has veto power over some potential moves. However, the rugged left-handed blueliner is a hot commodity to any team looking to upgrade their top four; in particular, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the hunt for a puck mover on the back end and could offer what Calgary wants. Jordan Kyrou, forward, St Louis Blues Kyrou is a three-time 30-goal scorer who would immediately upgrade any team's top six at the winger position. This season, however, hasn't gone too well for Kyrou or the Blues. With just 11 points in 19 games and the 30th overall record in the league, St. Louis may be looking to shake things up. While Kyrou does have a larger cap hit at $8.25 million per year, he still has five years left on his deal after this season, and his play would likely improve on a better team. If St. Louis wants a quick retool, trading Kyrou for a haul wouldn't be a bad idea. Steven Stamkos, forward, Nashville Predators The Tampa Bay Lightning legend left his long-time club in free agency, choosing to sign with the Nashville Predators during a big 2024 offseason for the franchise. His first season, though, didn't exactly go to plan. Nashville finished 30th in the standings in 2024-25, and Stamkos managed just 27 goals and 53 points in 82 games. With the Predators once again at the bottom of the standings, and Stamkos scoring just 4 goals in 20 games, several teams in need of depth down the middle could look to add the veteran. At $8 million per year (until 2028), Nashville may need to retain some salary, but a change of scenery could benefit both parties. Nazem Kadri, forward, Calgary Flames Like Stamkos, Kadri could be a reliable pickup for a team looking for depth at the center position. The 2022 Stanley Cup champion has been consistent for Calgary since signing with them in the 2022 offseason, scoring 210 points in 267 games for the Flames. Although Kadri hasn't put up the same points this season (12 in 21 games), part of that may stem from Calgary's poor record. If the Flames want to secure a top draft pick, selling players like Andersson or Kadri (signed until 2029) could gain them a big haul and help their lottery chances.
Shedeur Sanders makes promise to Browns fans ahead of first regular-season start
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make the first regular-season start of his career when the 2-8 Browns play at the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) this Sunday. Later on Wednesday, Sanders offered somewhat of a promise to Cleveland supporters who are hoping the fifth-round draft pick could potentially become a savior for the franchise. Shedeur Sanders wants to be "the guy" for the Browns "I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope," Sanders acknowledged, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "And I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn't feel like I am the guy. ...I'm doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got to be sped up, and that's great. I like pressure in life. I'm just excited for everything. So, I feel like I'm the guy. I know I'm the guy, but you just have to be able to see." Sanders made his regular-season debut against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. In total, Sanders completed 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in what became a 23-16 defeat. He was also sacked twice for a loss of 27 yards. Why Shedeur Sanders is confident he'll be better in second appearance Earlier in the week, Stefanski suggested the coaching staff is confident Sanders will play better after the 23-year-old gets first-team practice reps that were previously reserved for Gabriel. During his Wednesday media availability, Sanders echoed Stefanski's take. "I'm truly excited for that, knowing that I have a piece of [the] offense and a say so and how things fit my eye and place the players exactly where they need to be," Sanders added. "Seeing how they come in and out of routes, seeing the structure of the O-linemen, seeing their set, just having a feeling. I'm more of a feel type of person, so that's how I learn. That's how I do everything. I'm not just, 'Imma just watch it, it's just going to happen.' No, I got to be out there, feel it. I got to move around. It's like so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best, and I'm doing everything in my power and the team's doing everything to help me get prepared." It remains to be seen if a more prepared version of Sanders will be able to relegate a healthy Gabriel to backup duties beyond Week 12. As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Browns as four-point underdogs against the Raiders.
Packers Receive Disappointing Injury News Before Vikings Matchup
Jayden Reed’s anticipated return to the practice field for the Green Bay Packers will have to wait a little longer. Despite some growing hope earlier this week that the dynamic wide receiver could begin the next phase of his recovery, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will not open his 21-day practice window yet. “He’s not practicing today,” LaFleur said ahead of Sunday’s critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. When pressed for a clearer timeline on the second-year standout, who remains on injured reserve with collarbone and foot injuries, LaFleur deferred to the medical staff. “I don’t know. As soon as medical clears him, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s excited to get back. As am I.” The optimism had spiked in recent days. On Monday, LaFleur indicated there was a chance Reed and/or rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd could start their practice windows this week. Reed himself fueled the excitement Tuesday by sharing a photo of himself dressed in full uniform on social media. Those plans, however, are now on hold. Reed’s surgically repaired foot seems to have healed satisfactorily, but the collarbone—fractured on a diving attempt during the first half of Green Bay’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders—still needs additional time. For a wide receiver whose job involves regular physical contact and the risk of landing hard on the shoulder, the medical staff is requiring clear imaging evidence that the bone is strong enough before green-lighting a return. The cautious approach echoes the Packers’ handling of Aaron Rodgers’ similar collarbone injury in 2017, when the former quarterback sat out seven games while waiting for full healing. Nearly 10 weeks removed from the injury and having already missed eight contests, Reed could still require another one to two weeks before doctors are comfortable clearing him for football activities. That timeline keeps a potential return for the Thanksgiving night clash with the Detroit Lions or the following week against the Chicago Bears realistically in play. Before the injury, Reed had established himself as Green Bay’s top receiving weapon. He paced the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024, and in the two games he played this season while managing the foot issue, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay Packers will continue their Week 12 preparations without their leading wideout on the practice field, with LaFleur and the organization prioritizing full recovery over a rushed comeback.
The Big Five: Most dangerous teams currently outside the playoff picture
With just a week until Thanksgiving, the NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape. But seven weeks remain in the regular season, giving teams on the outside looking in time to turn things around. Below, we rank the five most dangerous teams currently not in the playoff field. 5. Houston Texans (5-5, eight in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 40-31 (.563) • Currently in playoff field: 4 • Above .500: 4 With a defense as good as Houston's, it can't be taken lightly despite a brutal remaining schedule. Over the Texans' final seven games, they only play two teams currently with a losing record — the Arizona Cardinals (3-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (2-8). With C.J. Stroud (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills (7-3), the team's hopes of remaining in contention will be even tougher. But Houston has won its past two games with Davis Mills at quarterback, thanks in large part to a defense allowing 221 yards per game. The Texans have the league's longest active streak of holding opponents under 200 passing yards (seven games), per Stathead research. In addition to the Bills, the Texans play the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) twice, Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), teams that can put up points. Houston, which is No. 21 in scoring offense (22 points per game), likely won't be able to keep pace in shootouts — even when Stroud returns — so it must lean on the defense to complete the long trek from 0-3 to the playoffs. 4. Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1, 10th in NFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 35-38 (.479) • Currently in playoff field: 2 • Above .500: 3 While we can't glean much from Dallas' convincing Monday night win over the directionless Raiders, it was still telling that the defense, a sore spot all season, kept an inept Las Vegas attack from having a season-best performance. Among the five teams listed here, the Cowboys have the easiest remaining strength of schedule, with more games against teams with losing records (three) than those in the playoff field (two). Their next three games — against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), Chiefs and Detroit Lions (6-4) — will inform how heavily Dallas factors into the playoff race through December. But for a team that seemingly had no hope following a Week 9 loss to the Cardinals, Dallas could be feistier down the stretch than most predicted. 3. Detroit Lions (6-4, eighth in NFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 37-32-2 (.521) • Currently in playoff field: 4 • Above .500: 4 Sunday's game against the New York Giants (2-9) is almost a must-win considering what lies ahead for Detroit. Over its final five games, it plays the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1), Los Angeles Rams (8-2), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) and Chicago Bears (7-3) plus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings (4-6). The Lions, who rank in the top five in total offense and defense, are more than capable of holding their own against stiff competition, although injures (particularly to the offensive line) have made them more vulnerable than the past two seasons, when they reached the NFC Championship Game (2023) and claimed the conference's No. 1 seed (2024). 2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5, ninth in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 36-35-1 (.500) • Currently in playoff field: 3 • Above .500: 3 ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently laid out a convincing argument why this year's Chiefs squad isn't much different from last year's team that went 15-2. Other than a staggering regression in one-score games and special teams lapses, Kansas City is good enough to go on a run and crash the playoffs. The Chiefs' toughest remaining games (Colts, Chargers, Broncos) are at home. They also have a head-to-head with the Texans at Arrowhead. It's far too early to write Kansas City's obituary. The AFC West might be out of play, yet NFL Next Gen Stats still gives the Chiefs a 52 percent chance of making the playoffs. However, NFL.com's Ali Bhanpuri noted in a recently column that Kansas City's odds will drop to less than 33 percent with a loss this Sunday to Indianapolis. 1. Baltimore Ravens (5-5, 10th in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 35-35-1 (.493) • Currently in playoff field: 3 • Above .500: 4 The Ravens are just one game out of first in the AFC North and have the New York Jets (2-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) on the schedule before the first of two games with the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4). By the end of the first weekend in December, Baltimore, which has won four in a row following a Week 7 bye, could easily be in pole position for a third straight AFC North title.
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