2018 NHL Draft

Oliver Wahlstrom

U.S. U18 (NTDP)

Steve Kournianos  |  12/3/2017 |  Nashville  |  [hupso]

Photo courtesy of Rena Laverty

Profile

Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height / Weight: 6’1, 205 lbs
Born: June 13, 2000 | Quincy, MA
Nation: United States

The Draft Analyst Ranking:

PRE SEP OCT FEB MAY JUN
15 22 12 — — —

Regular Season

Season Team GP G A PTS SOG PPG SHG PIM + / – GW P/G
2017-18 U.S. U18 (NTDP) 23 16 15 31 108 4 2 18 +5 3 1.35
2016-17 U.S. U17/U18 (NTDP) 63 24 16 40 119 5 0 48 +2 4 0.63
Totals 86 40 31 71 227 9 2 66 +7 7 0.83

Scouting Report

Wahlstrom is a dominant power winger with elite puck skills, highlighted by a devastatingly accurate shot. He is one of the top goal scorers available for the draft, but he does far more than simply fill the back of the net. Not only is Wahlstrom Team USA’s top-line right wing, but he is also a key cog in both the power play and the penalty kill. Although it seems like he never turns down the opportunity to crank one towards the cage, he is blessed with an acute sense to quickly identify a defender’s intentions, then exploit the tiniest of windows and turn a seemingly harmless 1-on-1 into a clear dash for the cage. Wahlstrom has very good speed with an above-average first step. And although he is no straight-line road-runner, his footwork, balance and lateral skating ability are all excellent, and he uses a keen understanding of play development to get the extra step or two he needs to create plenty of space between the opponent and him.

Wahlstrom has very soft hands and is an excellent passer, capable of threading the needle with a slap or touch pass, or saucering one cross-ice during odd-man rushes. His puck poise for a neophyte is extraordinary, and there are multiple instances during a game when you get the impression he’s a man playing against boys. His physical play, defensive-zone awareness and ability to combine physicality with smart reads are ribbons and bows on what looks like the complete package.