New York Islanders place Oliver Wahlstrom on IR

Wahlstrom left Dec. 27 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins early in the first period after taking a hit from Pens defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Wahlstrom was unstable and immediately headed off to the dressing room. He logged just 24 seconds of ice time and would not return. The 22-year-old was selected 11th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Isles and is currently in his fourth season with the club. Last season, he set career high’s across all departments registering; 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points in 73 games. This season, he has seven goals and 16 points in 35 games to go along with 32 penalty minutes which includes two fighting majors. Wahlstrom will be a restricted-free agent come July 1st. 

The Islanders also announced that rookie Simon Holmstrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The injury is retroactive to Dec. 23 game against the Florida Panthers. Panthers forward Sam Bennett collided with the islanders rookie knee to knee. The 2019 first-round pick has one goal and one assist through 14 games this season. Holmstrom registered 43 points (12G, 31A) in 68 games last season with the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL. 

Lambert also announced that defenseman Adam Pelech would not be travelling with the team as they embark on a road trip beginning with a New Year’s Day matchup against the Seattle Kraken. The Islanders are 21-14-2 and sit second in the wild card spot.