Breaking: Engvall, Wahlstrom Waived; Injured Isles to Return?

The New York Islanders roster moves have been looming since Adam Pelech and Anthony Duclair rejoined the team in non-contact injuries. The urgency became imminent yesterday when Mathew Barzal rejoined in a full-contact jersey, along with Duclair and Pelech shedding their no-contact jerseys.

The New York Islanders waived Pierre Engvall and Oliver Wahlstrom.

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. Head Coach Patrick Roy healthy scratched Engvall multiple times, and Roy publicly blasted his inability to go to the net consistently.

The fever pitch came when the Islanders shifted Engvall up 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.

For Wahlstrom, he had two goals and four points in 27 games.

Why Did the Islanders Waive Them?

We knew the Islanders had to make moves to get back to cap compliance when activating Duclair and Barzal from long-term injured reserve. Now, the Islanders have made the moves. If Engvall clears waivers (he will), of his $3 million cap hit, $1.15 gets buried. Wahlstrom’s entire $1 million gets buried if he clears.

It seems pretty clear that Barzal and Duclair will return on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Islanders needed to clear out two forward spots, and these ones fit the cap situation perfectly.

Wahlstrom Claimed?

There’s a decent chance Wahlstrom could 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.

Similarly, Wahlstrom has now 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.

Potential Lineup on Sunday?

The Islanders lineup could look very different on Sunday afternoon in Chicago. Let’s assume Barzal and Duclair are back for the purposes of this exercise. One potential grouping could look like this:

Tsyplakov-Horvat-Barzal

Lee-Nelson-Palmieri

Duclair-Pageau-Holmstrom

MacLean-Cizikas-Martin

E: Fasching