Noah Pedrazzoli analyzes the Islanders decision to waive Pierre Engvall and what that could mean for his future with the franchise
Pierre Engvall
On October 6th, 2024, the New York Islanders placed Pierre Engvall on waivers. The Swedish forward has since cleared waivers and reported to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders, where he will start on their top line.
While fans may view this decision as Engvall falling from general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Patrick Roy’s good graces, let’s dive in and figure out what this means for the roster and next steps for Engvall’s career.
Engvall was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2022-2023 trade-deadline for a 2024 third-round pick. He went on a decent scoring run scoring five goals and four assists during the final stretch of the season.
Those nine points contributed to the Islanders stressful campaign to make the playoffs where he became an integral part of the second line, finding chemistry with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmeri. Down the stretch, the line contributed firepower to a worn-down offense after losing Mat Barzal to injury.
Engvall was a playoff performer for the Islanders in both first-round exits to the Carolina Hurricanes. Engvall, while only netting two goals in both series, was still a factor in the team’s lackluster offense against the Hurricanes which earned him a seven-year contract worth $21 million ($3m AAV) following the 2022-2023 season.
But why would a speedy, young, multi-tooled forward be sent down to the minor leagues during the second year of his new deal? It’s simple, Engvall does not fit Roy’s vision for the team.
Engvall doesn’t fit Roy’s vision….for now.
It’s clear Lou Lamoriello sees the value and skill in the winger, if he didn’t he wouldn’t have signed him. In fact, he was reported as commenting on Engvall, “It’s not that he did anything wrong, but he basically lost the job at this point … He is not a bottom-six player.”
Engvall has had numerous opportunities in the top-six where he played alongside stars such as Barzal, Bo Horvat, Nelson, and Palmeri. But this was due to the overall uncertainty plaguing the top-six. There was certainty with the chemistry between Matt Barzal and Bo Horvat on the top line and Brock Nelson and Palmeri on the second. But what’s truly been missing are wingers to compliment both pairs.
Then came the signings of Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov. With each player earning those wing spots in training camp, Engvall’s window to remain in the lineup began to shrink.
The Islanders tried to place him with Anders Lee and JG Pageau on the third line, as it showed some promise during the final stretches of the 2023-2024 season. But ultimately, Roy chose to allow the younger Simon Holmstrom to prove himself in that role.
“Rather than favor experience, salary, or contract length, Roy opted for a blend of youth, physicality, and responsibility on both sides of the puck.”
While last year’s contract extension was a head scratcher…
it made some sense as Lamoriello is expecting the cap to increase (currently to 92 million). And so, Lamoriello may still see a future for Engvall with the team. The demotion may simply be a sign that this roster is significantly deeper than it was in recent years.
Coach Roy’s rebranding of the roster through training camp was also unfavorable to Engvall. Rather than favor experience, salary, or contract length, Roy opted for a blend of youth, physicality, and responsibility on both sides of the puck. This is represented by putting faith in Holmstrom and giving the nearly-forgotten Oliver Wahlstrom another chance in a redefined role on line four.
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This edition of the New York Islanders forward group…
has the most balance it has seen in years. The top six, once a considerable weakness, can now prove to be a strength while the bottom six has gotten younger and more dynamic with the likes of Holmstrom, Wahlstrom, and Kyle MacLean.
The jury is out on whether or not we’ll see the speedy forward back with the big club. But with his lengthy contract and tumble down the depth chart, this is a major wakeup call for Engvall. Maybe it’s a play from management to get his act together. Maybe the Islanders newfound depth has simply passed him by. Either way, if Engvall wants to see himself back on the Island, he’ll have to make the most of his new surroundings in Bridgeport.
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