As the New York Islanders struggle through the start of their season, the performance of left winger Pierre Engvall has been especially baffling.
After not making the team out of training camp, Engvall was recalled from the AHL this week. But it took only two games in the lineup before Engvall was a healthy scratch Wednesday against Columbus. He should get another try in the lineup on Friday.
It would be one thing if Engvall were slumping in the midst of a one-year, low-value contract. But the reality is the 28-year-old Swede is in second year of a seven-year contract paying him $3 million per season. And it didn’t take long for Islanders coach Patrick Roy to scratch him. Roy put Engvall on the ice for an average of 10:27 in the two games he did play, then he scratched Engvall in favor of enforcer Matt Martin, who played even fewer minutes. Engvall’s expected linemates on Friday are Casey Cizikas and Simon Holmstrom.
To be sure, if Engvall were waived again and sent back to the AHL, that’s where he could probably remain for the rest of this season. But it’s the five years remaining on his contract after this season that are the bigger issue.
If you were GM Lou Lamoriello and you decided to buy out Engvall’s deal, you’re talking about a cap hit for the next 10 – 10! – seasons. That’s about as bad as buyouts get nowadays. But what other option does Lamoriello really have here if they need to clear cap space next season for upgrades?
No opposing team is going to take on Engvall’s contract. So, does that mean the Islanders are stuck with him as a bubble player for quite some time? Yes, that’s exactly what’s likely to happen here. Or he goes to the AHL again. Either way, Engvall seems to be running out of chances already with the Isles. The player has only himself to blame, and the GM has himself to blame for choosing to invest so many years in Engvall.
It’s not a pretty picture for Engvall or the Islanders right now. And absent some miraculous development, that’s how it’s going to stay.
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