NY Islanders 2023-24 Player Report Card: Pierre Engvall Struggles in First Year of Long-Term Extension

When the NY Islanders announced the names of players they'd given contract extensions to over the summer, Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield were the two that left people scratching their heads. Engvall, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at last season's trade deadline, agreed to a 7-year deal with the Islanders, earning $3M per season.

*Read our previously Published player report cards: Sebastian Aho | Mat Barzal | Samuel Bolduc | Casey Cizikas | Cal Clutterbuck | Noah Dobson

NY Islanders 2023-24 Report Card: Pierre Engvall

One of the biggest takeaways from this season has been questioning Engvall's long-term deal with the Islanders.

Engvall was underwhelming with the Islanders, to say the least, finishing with 28 points (10 G, 18 A) in 74 games.

He started the season where he finished off the season before, lined up alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on the second forward unit. He spent a lot of his season there but the trio failed to find the same chemistry produced in their short time together the year before.

Engvall went missing way too often, including contributing only one point in a 20-game span from Dec. 9-Jan 27th.

He appeared to have benefited from the Islanders moving on from Lane Lambert and hiring Patrick Roy, seeming to find his game in the second half of the season. Roy shifted Engvall to the third line, where he'd play with Anders Lee and JG Pageau - a role he's much better suited for. Even though he's not a physical player on a checking line, his speed and length allow him to interrupt passing lanes, looking to counter with offense.

"I think it was up and down," Engvall said of his first full season on Long Island "Me, Pager, and Lee found our game, but I want to be better, prepare myself this summer, and get better."

If the Islanders hope to succeed next season, it would be best with Engvall remaining in the bottom 6. While he does have 6-years remaining on his current deal, the AAV is relatively low, and he'll hopefully continue on the same trajectory under Roy.

Final Grade: C