Pierre Engvall’s Plus Side Is Too Good to Pass Up for the NY Islanders

MINUS

The biggest criticism of Engvall has been his lack of offensive production. He was deemed a disappointment in Toronto because he didn’t seem to fit into the club’s top six. Some envisioned Pierre Engvall flanking John Tavares and William Nylander but that prospect just didn't materialize.

While Engvall may have been able to do that if given more of a chance, the fact is that Engvall’s offensive production seems to lie in the 20 to 30-point range.

But then again, Engvall’s identity has never been as a goal scorer. His speed has always been his most valuable asset. That’s why his role in killing penalties and playing a more defensive-minded game makes him a valuable commodity.

When considering his defensive game, critics point out that Engvall is not physical enough to play tough minutes against top opponents. While that may be true to a certain extent, players with Engvall’s speed don’t need to crush opponents. Speedy wingers can take advantage of opponents’ lapses to generate turnovers to create offensive chances.

The Verdict

Pierre Engvall had a much better season last year than most believe. As such, it’s not a stretch to think that Engvall could top 20 goals this season while playing with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee. Such a line could give the Islanders a much-needed offensive boost from the bottom six.

While Engvall still retains some top-six potential, it seems that his identity at this point lies in being a talented defensive forward. Potentially playing with Pageau and Lee could help Engvall increase his offensive output while continuing to play a key role as a penalty killer.

Barring injuries, a full year under Patrick Roy could unleash Pierre Engvall as one of the league’s best two-way forwards. If there’s ever a bold prediction, it’s that Pierre Engvall could get Selke Trophy consideration as soon as this upcoming season.