Here’s a series of statements not usually heard from a player coming off a serious, season-ending knee injury:
“To be honest, it’s probably the best eight months I’ve ever had in my life.”
“I think going through this injury was extremely, extremely healthy for me.”
“Like I said, I think this injury was unbelievable for me.”
Those were genuine sentiments Thursday from Islanders wing Oliver Wahlstrom, who sounded as if he just might treat Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to dinner as a thank you for putting him out last December.
Not because he enjoyed getting hurt, but because the time away allowed him a mental reset he thinks can propel his game to the next level.
“I think each year, I’m getting older and more mature and wiser,” Wahlstrom said. “My mind this year is kinda like an F-it mindset. Kinda go out and have fun, cause I already did nine months of preparing.”
Thursday marked the first time Wahlstrom had practiced with the Islanders since before Christmas, and the start of a season that could determine his future.
The 23-year-old signed a one-year deal for $874,125 as a restricted free agent over the summer, at an age when most of his peers were inking bridge deals three or four seasons long.
It doesn’t take much expertise to decipher what’s going on.
“Obviously I understood that I played half a year,” Wahlstrom said. “For me, it’s not about that right now, it’s about my game, finding my joy in the game and going further. I obviously know that I can be a huge contributor to this organization. I know those deals and things are gonna come soon. For me, you can’t really focus on those things.”
First and foremost, Wahlstrom has to focus on securing his spot in the lineup and keeping it.
For all his potential, inconsistency has held him back so far.
And a one-year deal does the opposite of lifting pressure from him.
The right mindset, though, can go a long way. He thinks he has that now, with his left knee to thank.
“Obviously there is a prove-it [factor],” Wahlstrom said. “But like I said, I found a little clarity in this injury, a little more clear headspace with this injury. My mindset, I got nothing to lose this year and the rest of my career.”
Kyle Palmieri took a maintenance day Thursday, skating on his own after taking a knock during a pre-camp skate.
Coach Lane Lambert said he doesn’t yet know whether Palmieri will rejoin the group before the preseason opener Tuesday against the Rangers.
Defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) was a full go on the first day of camp.
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