Pierre Engvall

May 2021 – It’s possible that Engvall only plays his best when he’s playing for his spot in the lineup. His 42 games in 2020-21 was (proportionally) a career high, but after a cold streak with just 2 points in 18 games he became a regular healthy scratch in the final months of the regular season. This is when he came back to life, finishing strong with 4 points (all goals) in 5 sporadic appearances. This wasn’t enough to give him a playoff spot in Game 1, but he has gotten his chance as of Game 2 with injuries now affecting the lineup. Engvall can skate and shoot at an NHL-level and has proven he can be fantasy-relevant, but he needs to be engaged more consistently for coaches to trust him enough for you to trust him on your fantasy roster. As a bigger skater, it would not be unusual for him to have a later breakout than most, so at 25-years-old it is not worth giving up hope for another step forward. Hayden Soboleski

February 2021 – Engvall has passed his games-played threshold to gain waivers eligibility. Through 7 games spent primarily on the 3rd line he has 2 points while averaging just over 1 SOG and hit per game with some PIMs thrown in as well, but his real-life game has been less fruitful than these fantasy peripherals. He has not found opportunities to show off his speed or shot and has not been physical, leading to an overall un-noteworthy season thus far. His spot in the NHL lineup is not safe despite his waiver eligibility. Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – Engvall has entered the NHL lineup as an injury opened up a spot. He’s currently slotting in on the 4th line in a dual center/winger capacity, meaning he picks up a couple FOW per game but not as many as a true C would. Despite being a call-up, he has seen more ice time than a few other grinders in his games which bodes well for more opportunities  when the team gets healthier. Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – After breaking into the NHL in 2019-20, Engvall seems to be the odd man out entering 2020-21. He remains a strong two-way player more than capable of filling a fourth-line role, but his AAV of 1.25M just isn’t low enough compared to other options brought in this off-season such as Vesey, Thornton, Boyd, or Barabanov. Add in the fact that he is waivers exempt for either 1 more year or 7 NHL games played, and sending him to the minors for now becomes the easiest way to be cap compliant. His potential as an above-average 4th-line goal-scorer still exists, but the situation around has severely delayed what looked like a strong trajectory just one season ago. Hayden Soboleski

February 2020 – Engvall has signed a 2-year contract extension with the Leafs valued at 1.25M per year. There wasn’t much doubt left, but this locks him into the team’s bottom six full-time going forward. This doesn’t necessarily mean he’s locked into this current fantasy production – he still has potential to spend more time at center ice and pick up FOW, and is the type of player coach Keefe will not hesitate to move up the lineup should injuries arise. He is a great fit for his coach and teammates which gives him a higher ceiling than he might have elsewhere. Hayden Soboleski

January 2020 – Engvall started as a member of the Leafs’ 4th-line rotation, but his above-average speed, shot and puck-protection ability have been such a fit that he has become a mainstay in the bottom-six, often on the 3rd line. He has been limited to the winger position rather than center-ice like he plays on the Marlies, but the results speak for themselves with 7 goals and 7 assists in 27 games played. This shooting rate is not sustainable so look out for some regression, but he has done everything right since being called up and has secured himself as a long-term member of the Leafs’ bottom-six, which is higher-scoring and more fantasy-worthy than most. Hayden Soboleski

November 2019 – After a sizzling start to the AHL campaign with 16 points in 15 games (tied for the team lead), Engvall has been called up to the Maple Leafs to fill in for the injured Trevor Moore. He will likely be limited to a sheltered 4th-line role to start, but the Leafs are slumping and in need of a spark right now so if he can bring an energized game and create some quality chances, he could see a chance to punch above his weight. Hayden Soboleski

October 2019 – Despite some looks in pre-season with NHL linemates, Engvall has been returned to the AHL for the 2019-20 season. His much-improved two-way play makes him a valid call-up option this year, but with the organization depth in place its a safer bet to expect him to see NHL time in 2020-21. He has played well enough that he will surely get a fair crack at being an NHLer in the next year or two. Hayden Soboleski

June 2019 – Engvall’s play since transitioning to center ice has drastically upped his fantasy value and overall hype. His point totals were modest (he nearly reached 20 goals which is no small feat when you’re not on the powerplay), but his versatility shined through as a centerman and viewers got to see his lanky reach, his ability to break up plays, and his good foot speed on a more regular basis. He also still has a laser beam of a shot when he gets it in the right position. He may be in the running for a 4th-line role with the Maple Leafs sooner than later, so keep an eye on their summer moves. Hayden Soboleski

February 2019 – In an effort to better utilize the forward corps, the Marlies have started trying out Engvall at center. He looks capable so far, putting his long reach to use, so time will tell if he becomes a multi-position-eligible fantasy forward in the future. Hayden Soboleski

December 2018 – Engvall signed a two-year deal with Toronto and the AHL rookie has been proving his worth with 13 points in 19 games so far. His shooting rate is good for a fantasy forward, and he has shown his speed on multiple occasions to give himself breakaway chances. He still looks lanky but he gained significant weight in the off-season and is handling the pro league well. When the Leafs hit a cap crunch in the near future, he will be a low-cost option. Hayden Soboleski

April 2018 – Engvall’s contract in the KHL has now expired and he is hoping to sign an entry level deal with the Leafs. He is currently playing with the Marlies on a PTO. The way he has played since coming over from Europe to join the Marlies will certainly improve his chances of landing that ELC; in his nine games to finish off the season Engvall had four goals and four assists. So far in two playoff games Engvall has added another goal and is being used as one of the top forwards on the top line. Engvall is 6’4″ so having a player with good size that can score as well as use his body size to his advantage is helpful.  Brian Harling

March 2018 – Pierre has been brought over to join the Marlies again as his team in the Swedish league ended. He was brought over last year and played one game with the Marlies. So far this season, Engvall has played 2 games with the Marlies generating one goal and one assist. He seems to fit right in with the Marlies and may get to play with them through the playoff run this year. This is another late round pick that is showing promise. Engval is at least another year away from the NHL but he is a prospect that has a good chance of making the NHL in the near future.

Engvall’s move to Mora IK proved that he was able to keep up with men. His 24 points were good for 5th on his team in scoring in 2015/16, and third in the league in points by a U20 player. Last season, as his team took a step forward, so did he, finishing 4th on Mora in points, leading them in scoring in the playoffs, and helping them gain promotion into the SHL. He also once again finished third in the league in his age class (this time U21), trailing Canucks prospects Jonathan Dahlen and Elias Pettersson.

In the 2017-18 season with HV71 Jonkoping  in 31 games Engvall had 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 to go with a plus- of 12. Engvall is a young player with offensive upside. This offensive potential is keeping his value up, though; the projections feel that if he does make it, he’s probably going to do so as a Top-6 forward, with most of the value coming from his offensive traits. – Brian Harling