It’s Easter weekend and it’s time for the gift of another edition of NHL rumours. Some teams made moves at the March 3 trade deadline and some of those deals have paid off. The New York Islanders made a move that paid off, but might be forced to move some money around to afford a Pierre Engvall contract. Today’s NHL rumours takes a look at that deal.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Isles Want Pierre Engvall Contract Extension
Rumour: Kevin Kurz of The Athletic looks at how to lock down the young forward this off-season. Engvall came over in a deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. The Ljungby, Sweden native has scored five goals in 14 games with the Islanders. He’s been a solid addition for the Isles and a reason they’re in the Stanley Cup Playoff mix.
Some have suggested $4 AAV for Engvall seems high. Maybe it is. But, consider as a UFA the Islanders might need Engvall more than Engvall needs the Islanders; and, the salary cap should go up significantly after next season.https://t.co/aof38OW1be
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) April 6, 2023
The 26-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season will want a raise from his $2.25 million salary. General manager Lou Lamoriello may have to clear some cap space in order to sign him and Hudson Fasching to new contracts. Extensions for Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat will be kicking in next and may complicate things.
Can Islanders Get Pierre Engvall Contract Done?
Kurz uses the comparable of Trevor Moore‘s contract from the Los Angeles Kings. Moore got a five-year deal worth $21 million, but some are hoping Engvall takes less.
There’s hope Engvall would take a $4 million contract and his camp may be fine with that. Lamoriello may use the option of buying out Josh Bailey and allowing Semyon Varlamov and Scott Mayfield go elsewhere. The Islanders currently have $76.6 million tied up with 18 players next season. That number could drop to $74.7 million if Ross Johnston‘s deal gets buried in the AHL next year.
Getting Engvall under contract should be a priority, but the Islanders front office may have to do some juggling to make it happen. Oliver Wahlstrom and Samuel Bolduc are free agents, but they may not be able to be brought back.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
