Palmieri and Wahlstrom to Get First Look Alongside Lee and Barzal

Kyle Palmieri and Oliver Wahlstrom are the early candidates to fill the open spot alongside Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal, Head Coach Barry Trotz said on Saturday.
"Those guys are the guys I'm looking to play with that line and they may play all year together, whoever that may be, whether it's Palmieri or Wahlstrom, or I might flip them out as the season goes on," Trotz said.

The Islanders coach said both players bring a goal-scoring element to the line. Palmieri has scored 20 goals in five of the past six seasons and scored seven goals in the playoffs last year. Wahlstrom scored 12 goals in 44 games in his rookie season, but has a track record as a finisher in his junior career and boasts a heavy shot.
"I think Wahlstrom has an ability to score, I think Palmieri has that ability to score," Trotz said. "Lee is at the net and Barzal is a good player, so seeing if I can get the good chemistry. I'm going to give it to Palmieri first, I know what he's done and the limited time I did play him, he was good with Barzal there. Wahlstrom was good with JG Pageau, that will be my starting point up front."

Palmieri was initially thought to be Anders Lee's replacement when he was acquired at last year's trade deadline, but found success in the playoffs playing alongside Pageau. With Lee returning and Jordan Eberle lost to the Seattle Kraken in expansion, a Lee-Barzal-Palmieri line would be new for the Islanders.
Wahlstrom played a grand total of 4:13 at even strength with Lee and Barzal last year, so that would be a new line as well for all intents and purposes. Wahlstrom played 38:46 at even strength with Barzal, a small sample size and slightly more than Palmieri's 23:00. Wahlstrom did see more power play time with Barzal, logging 14:49 together during the season.
Trotz said to expect to see both line combinations throughout training camp, so this will be one to watch.