How will the acquisition of Pierre Engvall help the NY Islanders?

While the NY Islanders may have had a rather quiet trade deadline post-Bo Horvat acquisition, the moves have started for other teams. However, last Friday, it was announced that a trade would be taking place. The Islanders were sending a 2024 third-round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs and were gaining the 26-year-old winger, Pierre Engvall.

The Islanders are expected to waste no time using Engvall. Engvall stands at 6'5" tall and weighs 219 pounds. He is also listed as being able to play both wings. The bottom six winger practiced on Thursday with the Islanders' first line, which consists of Horvat and Anders Lee.

"They’re two great players. I’m really happy I get to play with them at the start… I see myself as a two-way player but my skating is my biggest asset. I’m really happy to get the chance with those guys."

Engvall on skating with the first line

With not many better options out there and Mathew Barzal sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Islanders have nothing to lose giving Engvall a chance to play on the top line. Looking at his scouting report, it is clear that Engvall is a solid two-way winger that can handle the puck well and score.

According to JFresh Analytics, Engvall loves to carry the puck in transition, which is something the Islanders have struggled with all season. He doesn't commit many turnovers and is a great forechecker. For the Islanders, zone entry, and exit, have been a big issue for them this entire season. Obtaining Engvall could hopefully help the Islanders transition game as well.

So far, on the season Engvall has 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points on the season in his fourth-ever NHL season. Last season, he obtained his career high with 15 goals, and 20 assists. However, one of Engvall's biggest attributes is his speed, and on this Islanders team, it could come in very handy.

With Barzal listed as week-to-week and out until most likely the playoffs begin, Engvall can try to pick up where Barzal left off. The Islanders for the most part are not a fast team, but with the acquisition of Engvall, his speed, especially next to Horvat, could prove to be a very big plus for the team.

Overall, it's clear that although Engvall may not be a Vladimir Tarasenko-type top-six forward, he will come in handy and should improve the team a great deal while they try to remain in the playoff hunt with their star center, and star player, out of the lineup.