Oliver Wahlstrom is a lethal shooter with superior sense for the game, flashy puck skills, and a natural ability to light the lamp.
A product of the United States National Team Development Program, Wahlstrom's game has evolved to become an efficient two-way forward with a low center of gravity that makes him rather strong on the puck and able to endure a physical brand of hockey.
Like many younger American players, Wahlstrom employs a wide, gliding skating stride in his 6-foot-1, 208-pound frame that may remind some of current Sabres centerpiece, Jack Eichel.
The main draw for Wahlstrom, though, is his array of accurate, NHL-caliber shots. He can carry the puck into space to quickly pick corners with his sizzling wrist shot, and he can lean on his stick to unload heavy slap-shots with authority that are hard for the goaltender to control, granted it hasn't already gotten behind him.
He gladly goes hard to the net and makes his stick available to finish off the rush, and he's a primary option when he sets up on the left side of the power play.
Wahlstrom's feel for the game and all-around offensive wiring added up to some impressive numbers this past season, one that saw him record at least one point in 48 of 60 games played.
The Massachusetts native led all NTDP skaters with 48 goals, 94 points, and 288 shots on goal, including 22 goals and 45 points in 26 USHL contests and a dominant offensive performance at the season-ending 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, where Wahlstrom poured in seven goals and nine total points in seven games for the silver-medalists.
With the requisite frame and well-rounded skill set, Wahlstrom will be challenged to dial in a consistent level of intensity when competing against the world's best on a nightly basis. He's set to work on his game next season at Boston College, but the plan could change based on the influence of his drafting team.
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For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
