Pierre Engvall enters Islanders camp with a real uphill climb.
After missing all of last season because of an injury, the winger is back in the mix and trying to play his way onto the New York Islanders roster. That won’t be easy. The club has a crowded forward group, and Engvall is already looking at competition from players such as Victor Eklund and Anthony Duclair, both of whom are viewed as stronger bets to make the team.
There’s no question what Engvall brings if he gets a chance. He can inject speed into the Islanders’ bottom six, and that kind of burst is something this group could use. He’s one of the fastest skaters on the team, and with Pete DeBoer now in place, Engvall has a shot at a clean slate in a system that could suit him.
Still, the fit is far from guaranteed. Engvall carries a $3 million cap hit this season, and there are three years left on his contract after this year. If the Islanders send him to the AHL, they would clear $1.225 million against the salary cap.
Patrick Roy never seemed sold on Engvall. He was kept out of the lineup entirely at times, and even when he dressed, his ice time was limited. That history makes this summer’s reset feel important, but it doesn’t erase the fact that Engvall is still on the outside looking in as training camp approaches.
The most realistic path for him may be as a depth piece rather than a lineup regular. The Islanders no longer need him to be a top-six forward the way they did during his first two seasons with the team. In a lower-line role, Engvall could be much more effective, much like he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
For now, though, the numbers and the depth chart both point the same way: Engvall has work to do if he wants to force his way onto the roster.
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