Pierre Engvall could give Islanders fans something to get excited about

The New York Islanders will face a tough decision with Pierre Engvall. The 30-year-old winger is coming off a lost season following ankle surgery. Now, it seems Engvall is back to full strength and ready to join the Isles.

The problem is that the club has changed while he was away. GM Mathieu Darche has made several moves, giving Peter DeBoer various options to deploy.

And it’s those moves that could make it challenging for Engvall to claim a lineup spot.

But then again, Engvall could turn into a redemption story this season. He could become a storyline that Islanders fans could really get excited about.

After all, who doesn’t love a great comeback story? While Engvall won’t return to the lineup and score 30 goals, the idea of the defensive forward claiming a regular lineup spot has to be the sort of thing that can inject a great deal of positivity into the entire clubhouse.

If Engvall could become a solid defensive winger who can contribute 30 to 40 points, well, it would mark a massive turnaround for a player who seemed a bit of an afterthought around this time last year.

What can Islanders realistically expect from Engvall?

It would be fantastic to envision a scenario in which Engvall becomes a top-six forward. His redemption path could force other scoring wingers down the lineup, putting Engvall on track for a career season.

Nevertheless, such a scenario isn’t all that plausible.

Engvall is a defensive forward. He kills penalties and can play in a matchup role. That’s what the Islanders can realistically expect from Engvall. Getting double digits in goals and, say, 30 points would be nothing more than a massive boost to the organization.

Every Islanders fan wants to see Engvall succeed this upcoming season. No Isles fan will be hoping Engvall falls flat.

But there’s one other dimension to this situation. Should Engvall pretty much wash out, the club will be on the hook for the four years left on his deal. Since he would be essentially untradeable, the club would have to face a tough decision.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that. Everything would be so much easier if Engvall just worked out in the end. A path in which he becomes a regular for the Islanders as the march towards the playoffs is the ideal scenario.

It’s hard not to cheer for a guy who’s determined to prove he still has what it takes to be a bona fide NHLer.

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