Detroit Red wings poised to give free agent former first round pick a shot
Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings have to utilize their cap space efficiently, and for Steve Yzerman, role players are something he has to consider, as a former Boston Bruins forward and 1st-round pick could be a decent addition.
The Red Wings could find some usage for Oliver Wahlstrom, who was a former first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. He'd be placed on waivers by the New York Islanders and claimed by the Boston Bruins.
Wahlstrom would perform poorly in a Bruins uniform, in a year that saw every Bruins player decline in production, aside from David Pastrnak. Wahlstrom would score 2 points in 16 games.
While he would go on a tear in Providence, scoring 15 points (9-6) in 19 games with the P-Bruins.
Wahlstrom wouldn't be given a qualifying offer by the Bruins, unfortunately, and is now a free agent for whomever wants to claim the reclamation project.
While signing Wahlstrom might pose a bit of risk for the Red Wings, Yzerman could offer him a PTO to lessen the risk, but see what he's capable of after his uptick of production in the AHL.
Where Would Wahlstrom Fit in the Red Wings Lineup?
Wahlstrom wouldn't slot in on the top-six, but they could find a role for him as a bottom-six checker, and get him in competition with Jonatan Berggren.
Wahlstrom could add an extra body to training camp, and give Elmer Soderblom and Berggren a reason to do better.
He could end up signing a one-year, two-way deal as a 13th forward and could be utilized as a call-up until proving himself NHL-ready, truly.
While he might still be a bust, he still could find redemption in Detroit as a low-risk reclamation project and depth option.
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