New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello has made another shocking move, placing forward Pierre Engvall on waivers. This unexpected decision comes despite Engvall having six years and $18 million remaining on his contract.
Engvall, 28, was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2023 trade deadline and subsequently signed a seven-year, $21 million contract extension with the Islanders. He recorded a respectable 10 goals and 28 points in 74 games with the team last season. So, what prompted this sudden change of heart?
While Lamoriello hasn’t explicitly stated the reason for waiving Engvall, it’s likely due to a combination of factors. Firstly, Engvall’s performance in training camp may not have met expectations. Secondly, the emergence of younger players like Maxim Tsyplakov could be forcing the Islanders to make tough roster decisions.
This move has sent shockwaves through the NHL community, with fans and analysts expressing their surprise and confusion. Some believe it’s a motivational tactic to spark a fire under Engvall, while others question the wisdom of signing him to a long-term deal only to waive him a year later.
Fans React to Islanders’ Decision to Waive Pierre Engvall
- “No one is going to grab him obviously. This is a motivational play. We’ll see how he responds if he is called back up to the club.”
- “This was an awful contract to begin with. Lou Lamoriello needs his head checked.”
- “That’s nuts, why give a guy like him a long-term deal if they’re going to give up after a middling season and struggles at camp.”
Personally, I’m inclined to agree with the sentiment that this is a risky move by Lamoriello. Engvall is a solid bottom-six forward with a proven track record. While he may not be a superstar, he provides valuable depth scoring and penalty-killing abilities. Waiving him could potentially backfire if another team decides to take a chance on him.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Engvall. Will he clear waivers and be sent to the AHL? Will another team claim him? Or will he be recalled by the Islanders and prove his worth? Only time will tell.
This situation highlights the unpredictable nature of the NHL and the tough decisions general managers have to make. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what impact it has on the Islanders’ season.
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