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2018 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Oliver Wahlstrom

By Dave Stevenson

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Oliver Wahlstrom #9 of Team Chelios during the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game against Team Leetch at the KeyBank Center on September 21, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Oliver Wahlstrom #9 of Team Chelios during the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game against Team Leetch at the KeyBank Center on September 21, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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2018 NHL Draft prospect Oliver Wahlstrom has what it takes to be the next great power forward

Tides are changing in the hockey world. It’s telling the top two centers available at the 2018 NHL Draft are American products. The first is Brady Tkachuk, who we’ve already addressed. Oliver Wahlstrom, who has joint citizenships with the United States and Sweden, is the second.

He’s the latest USNTDP product and has committed to Harvard University for 2018. Wahlstrom’s unique background is a fun one and it should make him even more fun to root for. He also has a ton of offensive upside.

Prospect Profile

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Height: 6’1″ (185 cm)
Weight: 205 pounds (93 kilograms)
Team: USNTDP Juniors (USHL), U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
Country: United States; Sweden
Position: Center/Right Wing
Date of birth: June 13, 2000
USHL Statistics*: 22 games, 21 goals, 16 assists, 37 points, 16 penalty minutes, +26 plus-minus rating
USDP Statistics*: 49 games, 39 goals, 36 assists, 75 points, 32 penalty minutes
Average Prospect Ranking**: 6.25

*Stats are as of March 16, 2018
** Average prospect rankings are the collective average of a prospect’s rankings (McKeen’s, Hockey Prospect, Future Considerations, ISS Hockey)

Profile information courtesy of Elite Prospects.

Strengths

As you can tell, Wahlstrom possesses a ton of offensive skill. He’s very dangerous with the puck and can play on the wing as well. Wahlstrom uses his stick like a wizard uses his wand, creating magic on the ice. He’s an excellent puck handler and makes things look a lot easier than they actually are.

Wahlstrom can score and pass extremely well for his age. He’s done well when given opportunities on the international stage. Wahlstrom has excellent size and his frame has already filled out nicely. He plays an aggressive game, especially on offense. Wahlstrom is a natural goal scorer.

Weaknesses

I’m not sold on Wahlstrom at center. To me, he’s been more dangerous when he’s a wing. But at the very least, Wahlstrom is still an option at center. He’s big and strong, so he has that going for in him in that regard. Wahlstrom also needs to work on his defense, which perhaps is why he’s been at right wing more often these days.

Highlights

Next: 2018 NHL Mock Draft Version 2.0

Overall Outlook

I think there’s a good argument Wahlstrom should go before Tkachuk. They’re both immensely talented and should be quality NHL players. But Wahlstrom possesses that little bit of “wow” factor which Tkachuk lacks. Also, the former is a better goal scorer than the latter.

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