Pageau and Parise Working with Wahlstrom

Barry Trotz paid JG Pageau a compliment on Tuesday, calling his versatile center exactly that, a complement.
In Trotz's eyes, Pageau is the right type of player - a two-way center who excels in all three zones - to help a gifted young goal scorer in Oliver Wahlstrom develop his game at the NHL level.
"He's a really good support mechanism," Trotz said of Pageau. "If Wahlstrom needs to adjust something he's doing in his game, he talks to him, he helps work through problems and he's got a skill set that can play with that kind of player. Pageau in his quiet way is a really good mentor, but also a complement as well to what Wahlstrom does."

Pageau and Wahlstrom have developed some chemistry over the past season and change, which has benefitted both players. For Wahlstrom, Pageau's responsible defensive play helps bail out mistakes common for a young player, even if those moments are fewer and further between in Wahlstrom's second year. For Pageau, Wahlstrom's emergence as an everyday NHLer has slowed the revolving door of wingers that characterized his first season and playoff run with the Islanders.
"It's definitely been good to play with him and get to know him and I think our chemistry is getting better and better," Pageau said. "He brings a lot of talent, obviously he's a great shooter and as a line, we're almost there, we're working hard to be an offensive line every night and I think we're doing pretty well there."

Wahlstrom is off to a solid start in his second season, second on the Islanders with five goals in the first eight games. Pageau has four points (1G, 3A) assists over that span, which includes a no-look, spin-o-rama pass to find Wahlstrom for his second goal against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 19. Pageau found the back of the net for the first time this season against Montreal, but has been doing plenty of Pageau things like leading the team with a 54.3 FOW% and averaging 1:48 SH TOI/GP.
After playing 364 five-on-five minutes together last season, the pair have been joined by Zach Parise this season, giving the Islanders a formidable depth line that can alternate between scoring and checking roles. The Parise-Pageau-Wahlstrom trio combined for 17 shot attempts against Florida and another 18 - including 13 on goal - vs Chicago, giving the Islanders some added pop up front. They've allowed two goals at five-on-five in seven games as a line.
"We are talking a lot, learning a lot about each other, where the other guy likes to go, trying to figure out some easy options to get a little more offensive zone time, or a little more puck possession in the o-zone," Parise said. "We're doing a really good job defensively, we're not giving up a whole lot. I think five-on-five we have to find the net a little more and contribute more on the offensive side, but I think we're playing pretty well together."
Parise also picked up his first points as an Islander on Thursday, dishing out two assists, including the primary helper on Pageau's tally. Parise drew a penalty, spun off a check behind the net and found his linemate in front.

"Playing with Zach is something fun," Pageau said after the win in Montreal. "He's a hard-working player that's always in the right spot. He's always there to cover you. It's been fun playing with him. It's fun for us to get on the board. That goal was all him. He put it right there. All I had to do was just put it in. It was an amazing pass."
While Parise is still learning about his new teammates, Wahlstrom knew a lot about his new linemate, given he'd watched him play his whole life. Still, the 21-year-old has been able to learn a lot from the 1,000-game veteran on his opposite wing.
"Having Parise on the left side is pretty cool, I've watched him play since I was born," Wahlstrom said during training camp. "Pageau and Zach are unbelievable for me, I can lean on them, learn more things and how to be a good pro."
Wahlstrom is developing into a consistent scoring threat for the Islanders in his second year. His long-lauded shot was on display again in the Islanders 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, zipping a wrister clean over Juuse Saros' shoulder from the left dot, and the next game in Montreal, scoring in similar fashion. The sophomore has a shoot-first mentality and isn't afraid to take it, as evidenced by his 13 total attempts at the net, resulting in his first-career two-goal game, against the Blackhawks.
"Wahlstrom gets open and can shoot as good as any young player in the league," Trotz said in Chicago. "When Wahlstrom is having success, he's moving his feet, he's able to get open and create some loose pucks to get that shot off."

Having two veteran linemates like Pageau and Parise should help Wahlstrom stay on his trajectory. The Quincy, Mass. native had 21 points (12G, 9A) in 44 games in his rookie season, as well as three points (1G, 2A) in five playoff games before suffering an injury in the First Round. He's looking to build off that in his second year, avoiding the complacency that Trotz said can creep into a young player's game after making the jump to the NHL. With help from Pageau and Parise, Wahlstrom is shooting first and asking questions later - in a good way.
As the line continues to come together, it's only fitting to end with a compliment.
"I think our chemistry is getting better and better," Pageau said. "When you have a shooter like that on your line, you definitely try to use his shot. He's got an outstanding shot, so you're just trying to give him the puck and let him release it."