Bruins Claim Wahlstrom, Engvall Clears; Pelech, Barzal to Return Tomorrow?

The Boston Bruins claimed Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders. Pierre Engvall cleared waivers for the second time this season and will likely be assigned to Bridgeport. Neither Engvall nor Wahlstrom had a locker in the room today.

Wahlstrom to Boston:

Wahlstrom, 24, had two goals and four points in 27 games with the Islanders. He received an extended look at the power play, which involved injuries to Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair.

Yesterday, it seemed like there was a decent chance that Wahlstrom would be claimed as a reclamation project somewhere, as the 2018 first-round pick just has not done enough with the chances afforded to him by the Islanders. Considered an underdog even to win a roster spot in September, Wahlstrom battled and earned his spot.

Wahlstrom played himself off the roster. It’s unfortunate because there are still signs he could be something, but he never fully put it together. His inconsistencies with the puck and in the defensive zone became too much to overcome here, and with a crowded roster, he tied the Islanders’ hands.

Head Coach Patrick Roy called the decision to waive Wahlstrom “difficult” but ultimately said it was necessary to create the best possible roster for the Islanders.

With the Bruins, Wahlstrom gets a chance to reset and try to salvage his career with a team desperate for goalscoring and young skaters. Even this past summer, the Bruins always felt like a potential destination.

Engvall Clears:

On the other hand, Pierre Engvall cleared waivers and seems set to be demoted to Bridgeport indefinitely.

Engvall is in the second year of a disastrous seven-year contract extension with a $3 million cap hit. In 20 games, he scored three goals and six points. Roy healthy scratched Engvall multiple times, and Roy publicly blasted his inability to consistently go to the net.

The fever pitch came when the Islanders shifted Engvall to line two for the December 5th game against the Seattle Kraken. Roy publicly challenged Engvall and skated him with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. By the second period, Roy demoted Engvall to line four, and postgame, he paused briefly and asked if he had to answer questions about Engvall.

Engvall’s future with the organization appears to be non-existent at this point. Whether a trade or buyout comes, this writer will be shocked if he’s still with the organization by July 1, 2025.

Practice News Ahead of Road Trip:

Roy announced Adam Pelech will play tomorrow in Chicago, marking his first game since November 1 in Buffalo.

Roy announced Barzal as a game-time decision for tomorrow’s game, but it seems likely that Barzal will play. It’ll be his first game since October 30 in Columbus.

Roy ruled Duclair out for Sunday but said he’s a distinct possibility for Tuesday in Carolina. Duclair hasn’t played since the fifth game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens.

Elsewhere, Bo Horvat did not practice, and the team labeled him day-to-day, but according to Roy, he will travel with the team.

Finally, Roy revealed that Semyon Varlamov will not travel, so the veteran netminder’s original day-to-day designation now seems to be week-to-week.