Pierre Engvall is in the second season of a seven-year deal worth $3 million annually.
RALEIGH, NC -- New York Islanders forward Pierre Engvall will play against the Carolina Hurricanes after a strong performance on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks in their 5-3 loss.
The 28-year-old forward recorded an assist and was on the ice for a second goal in 12:15 minutes after he crashed the net, which helped create a shooting lane for defenseman Ryan Pulock, who sent a 101.3 MPH missile past Blackhawks netminder Arvid Soderblom:
But let's rewind a bit, as this has certainly been a crazy few days for Engvall.
On Friday, he and teammate Oliver Wahlstrom were placed on waivers. The Islanders needed to create salary-cap space and roster spots for Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair, but Duclair is not ready to return yet.
The Boston Bruins claimed Wahlstrom, while Engvall cleared waivers for the second time after he initially failed to make the team out of training camp.
"You want to be with the team. You want to help the team as much as you can. So, being on waivers, it was a little bit tough," Engvall told The Hockey News on Tuesday morning.
Because Engvall has cleared waivers, he is waiver-exempt for 30 days and 10 games.
"I spoke a little with Lou [Lamoriello] before I got waived," Engvall said. "[I'll keep that] just between me and him."
But, unlike most players waived, Engvall was recalled immediately as Bo Horvat was unable to go against Chicago on Sunday due to a lower-body injury from their 5-4 win over the Blackhawks two days prior,
And it was good to see Engvall take advantage of his minutes, playing like the player the Islanders needed alongside Simon Holmstrom and Kyle MacLean.
"I think we had a good game last game, and we were rolling as a line," Engvall told THN. "We got new lines today, but just same thing, we just got to work hard and support each other out there. And I think it goes a long way."
Engvall will be skating against Carolina with Casey Cizikas and Hudson Fasching.
When talking with Roy, he was asked how he's seen Engvall handle a rocky season for No. 18, with two waiver stints, time in Bridgeport, and the scratch house.
"Well, I think he's been playing okay with that. I thought he had a great game against Chicago. Sometimes you need this," Roy said. "He's a great person. He's a good teammate, but sometimes your expectations are higher than what the player does. You want him to do something that will create the spark in him and the player. Hopefully, that could happen to Pierre because he's a player that we need.
"When he plays like he played in Chicago, or like he played on that road trip when we were in Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, that's the guy that we'd like to see every night. But the consistency is something we want from all of our players, and right now, Pierre needs to take advantage of this opportunity."
And that's what Roy told Engvall.
"And like I said to him the other day, I said, 'It's never too late. Seize the moment and go out there and take advantage of it'."
Engvall's biggest issue is taking advantage of the opportunities presented.
It appears, based on Tuesday's line rushes that Engvall will be in the lineup when Anthony Duclair is ready to return:
So, Engvall's play against Chicago and him seemingly being penciled into the Islanders' lineup when the club is fully healthy upfront -- defenseman Mike Reilly is going to need more time -- should serve as an incredible bode of confidence.
"I think confidence goes up and down," Engvall said. "But I think when you do the small right things, It's slowly building up. And that's what you got to do out there."
In 10 career games against Carolina, Engvall has three goals and two assists for five points.
Puck drop against the Hurricanes is coming your way at 7:30 PM ET, on ESPN+/Hulu, exclusively.