Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 8th-ranked prospect, right wing Oliver Wahlstrom.
Oliver Wahlstrom
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: June 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Portland, ME
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 208 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 7
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 7
NHL Comparable: Patrik Laine
One phrase immediately comes to mind when thinking about Oliver Wahlstrom: Elite goal scorer. Wahlstrom, who is also a Swedish citizen through his father, tallied a mind-boggling 48 goals in just 62 games this season for the USA U-18 National Team Development Program.
Wahlstrom’s world-class scoring ability comes from his lethal shooting. Wahlstrom has one of, if not the best shot in the entire draft. He can score seemingly at will with any of his shots. His wrist shot is perhaps his most dangerous, with loads of power, pinpoint accuracy and a release so fast goaltenders sometimes do not even react to it until it is already past them. Wahlstrom’s snapshot, though not used nearly as frequently as his wrist shot, is also quick, hard and accurate. Wahlstrom is a big-time threat on the power play, as he loves setting up on his off side and one-timing slap shots, which, like his other shots, have amazing power and accuracy and is released in a hurry. Wahlstrom has the shot needed to step into an NHL lineup and be a big-time goal scorer.
However, despite having a jaw-dropping shooting ability, Wahlstrom has no problems feeding his teammates. In addition to his 48 tallies, Wahlstrom also recorded 46 assists this season. Wahlstrom knows he is a very dangerous threat, which often causes defenders and goaltenders to overplay him. Wahlstrom possesses the vision and awareness to find open teammates, often in prime scoring locations. This ability makes Wahlstrom incredibly difficult to defend, as it is almost a lose-lose situation for the defender and is seemingly a matter of time before the puck ends up in the back of the net.
Wahlstrom is also a very good skater. He has good top-end speed and has excellent acceleration. He has a lot of get-up-and-go in his game. He has a good motor and can often beat defenders late in a shift. He is a motivated skater as well, especially in the offensive zone. For example, a few times this season after missing a shot, Wahlstrom would out-hustle everyone to the puck, get to a scoring area and put the puck in the back of the net. Wahlstrom loves having the puck on his stick, and is an explosive skater around loose pucks. He uses his edges well, allowing him to cut to the middle of the ice for higher quality chances. Wahlstrom is able to change paces very quickly, which can cause issues for defenders when they are expecting him to change directions or cut and he instead accelerates and creates space and separation.
Another strength of Wahlstrom’s offensive game is his stickhandling ability. He has very good and quick hands, and he is very creative with them as well. Wahlstrom uses his quick hands to maneuver the puck where he wants it when being pressured, which he often times translates into a shot on goal or a pass to a teammate. Wahlstrom is very comfortable with the puck on his stick in all scenarios and has the ability to make defenders look silly.
Despite being a world-class offensive player, Wahlstrom definitely needs to clean up his game a bit in the defensive end. Wahlstrom tends to be a player who waits out the opponent’s possession so he can then transition to offense. He is not a huge liability, but can often be caught puck watching and sometimes losing track of his man. Another area lacking in Wahlstrom’s game is physicality. He has a big enough and strong enough frame to withstand the physical play in the NHL, and is willing to take contact to make a play, but he does not look for chances to use his big frame to his advantage. If Wahlstrom focuses on these areas over the next year or two, he could become a much more complete player.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Simply put, Wahlstrom is the missing link who can fill the Hawks’ first line right wing void. He would look fantastic on a line with Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. Wahlstrom is used to playing with highly skilled players, as he played on a line with fellow projected first round pick Joel Farabee and the projected first overall pick next year, Jack Hughes. Wahlstrom would add an infusion of goal scoring into a Blackhawks roster who looked lost in the desert this season. It remains to be seen if Wahlstrom will be available when the Hawks are on the clock with the eighth pick, as goal scoring comes at a premium. While snagging Wahlstrom with the eighth pick would solve the long-term first line right wing problem, he will not be in that spot next season, as he is committed to attend Harvard, meaning the endless carousel of players along side Toews would continue this season. Another thing to consider with adding Wahlstrom would be asking where Alex DeBrincat would fit into the lineup. Perhaps if head coach Joel Quenneville could get over himself, he could slot in opposite Patrick Kane, which as was seen a bit at the World Championships, would not be the worst thing. If Quenneville refuses to go that route, it could mean a first line of DeBrincat, Toews and Wahlstrom and a second line of Saad, Schmaltz and Kane. Or, if Wahlstrom would be comfortable playing his off-wing all the time, he could play opposite of Patrick Kane, which could form a new “nuclear combination.” Regardless, however it would play out, adding Wahlstrom, a rather Patrik Laine-esque player, to a very lackluster forward prospect pool and a stumbling offensive unit would be huge for the organization. Wahlstrom could be the long-term missing top-six piece the Blackhawks are missing to revitalize their offense.
Timeline
As mentioned, Wahlstrom is committed to play at Harvard next season. Wahlstrom already has the size needed to step into the NHL and certainly already has the skating and skill. How much time Wahlstrom will spend at Harvard remains to be seen, but it is possible he could join his NHL team as early as 2019–20.
Projection
There is no reason to think Wahlstrom cannot become a long-term top-line sniper in the NHL. He has a world-class shot and will likely have very minimal issues transitioning his game to the NHL. While Wahlstrom likely projects better as a winger, he has played center growing up, as recently as the 2016–17 season. So, if a team really wanted to try to convert him back to being a center, that could be an option as well. Regardless of where he plays, Wahlstrom has everything needed to become the next big-time goal scorer in the NHL.
What others are saying
“Wahlstrom has done nothing but improve his draft stock this season. The dynamic winger currently leads the U18 USNTDP in nearly every statistical category by producing 40 goals, 83 points and 243 shots on goal in just 54 games. Wahstrom is big, strong, lethal from the circles down and loves driving into the dirty areas to finish a play. His chemistry with fellow 2018 draft-eligible prospect, Joel Farabee and 2019 uber prospect, Jack Hughes has been incredible. Wahlstrom appears destined for a top 10 selection this June and could force his way into the top five.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects
“Wahlstrom is a dominant power winger with elite puck skills, highlighted by a devastatingly accurate shot. He is one of the top goal scorers available for the draft, but he does far more than simply fill the back of the net. Not only is Wahlstrom Team USA’s top-line right wing, but he is also a key cog in both the power play and the penalty kill. Although it seems like he never turns down the opportunity to crank one towards the cage, he is blessed with an acute sense to quickly identify a defender’s intentions, then exploit the tiniest of windows and turn a seemingly harmless 1-on-1 into a clear dash for the cage. Wahlstrom has very good speed with an above-average first step. And although he is no straight-line road-runner, his footwork, balance and lateral skating ability are all excellent, and he uses a keen understanding of play development to get the extra step or two he needs to create plenty of space between the opponent and him.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
Some of you may remember this clip from many years ago as well. Wahlstrom was just nine years old here. Needless to say, he has always had a knack for scoring goals.