Speculation: Does Engvall deserve to be on the Leafs?

[saffronleaf]

I think he's a useful player to have.

If everyone is healthy and all our reclamation projects and rookies pan out and the older guys keep contributing then yea it's possible that Engvall will not be one the playing 12 forwards. But this is usually never the case, and there's always injuries that come up.

He can skate decently; not bad hockey sense; kills penalties. If he could just use his size and not do those dumb loop backs if he's not confident or capable enough to pull it off, I think he'd have a bigger role on the team.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Who does he knock out of the lineup? Kase if he can’t overcome the injuries. Simmonds is probably the worst forward, but we need some toughness. Maybe Spezza falls off this year.

Does anyone think Dubas would have still signed Simmonds to a 2yr deal if he knew he could get Nick Ritchie? I doubt it very much...If he doesn't play well I doubt Keefe will sit him very often...good guy in the room supposedly.

 

[saffronleaf]

i understand why people hate engvall but TODAY probably the best option at 4C.
we have no depth after kampf.

we picked up a crap ton of wingers and part of me is starting to wonder what the plan down the middle is going to be ...

I thought the center depth would be:
Matthews
Tavares
Kerfoot
Kampf

 

[zeke]

Does anyone think Dubas would have still signed Simmonds to a 2yr deal if he knew he could get Nick Ritchie? I doubt it very much...If he doesn't play well I doubt Keefe will sit him very often...good guy in the room supposedly.

Interesting point. Simmonds definitely brings the least to the table of anyone on the team.

 

[I am Canadian]

Pandemic cap freeze is literally the only reason this conversation is happening.

If he had a 700K contract I don't think anyone would have an issue.

 

[kb]

Engvall has 15G in 90 career games and plays solid defensively, and is being paid $1.25 million. I don't see any issue with a player like this.

 

[ShaneFalco]

My issues isn't exactly with Engvall himself, though I think he's average at best defensively and offers little else.

My issue is for 500k less we could replace him and quite likely get more for our money. He hasn't earned a spot, and he costs too much relative to what he contributes

Agreed. And I don't think you can have both Mik and Engvall on the same team

 

[New Liskeard]

Engvall has 15G in 90 career games and plays solid defensively, and is being paid $1.25 million. I don't see any issue with a player like this.

He is still young, has excellent size and a fantastic skater for a guy that big. Not to mention he can play centre. The hate he gets is ridiculous. I believe he was a homegrown late round pick to boot.

 

[Menzinger]

Does anyone think Dubas would have still signed Simmonds to a 2yr deal if he knew he could get Nick Ritchie? I doubt it very much...If he doesn't play well I doubt Keefe will sit him very often...good guy in the room supposedly.

Yes, because I suspect Simmonds was retained as much for his leadership/dressing room presence as much as his on ice play

 

[darrylsittler27]

Simmonds and Ritchie helps all our soft players and makes the whole team less fun to play against.Simmonds played well and got injured.

 

[leafsfan5]

If our desire is to have a defensive line he should be on it

Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall

 

[ULF_55]

Funny someone just wrote an article a day or so ago saying his stats show he's playing well, just zero luck.

 

[ottomaddox]

Every team has their Engvalls and Ritchies.

When TOR re-tools the roster for the playoffs I wouldn't be heart broken if Engvall was a healthy scratch here and there.

 

[TMLAM34]

Every team has their Engvalls and Ritchies.

When TOR re-tools the roster for the playoffs I wouldn't be heart broken if Engvall was a healthy scratch here and there.

Engvall will most likely be a healthy scratch once Mikheyev returns. Until another injury happens where he can slot back in.

 

[ottomaddox]

Engvall will most likely be a healthy scratch once Mikheyev returns. Until another injury happens where he can slot back in.

Sounds good to me.

When can we anticipate his return?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

He played well last night .. but he is not consistent .. I'd rather have Cliffy in

 

[ottomaddox]

I suppose it's very telling that I keep mentioning Mikheyev in this thread about Engvall.

 

[TMLAM34]

Sounds good to me.

When can we anticipate his return?

I think he’s projected to be out for another 3 weeks unfortunately.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

simmonds turning into mitch marner just bought engvall another month long leash

 

[zeke]

Engvall is a one man forecheck.

 

[crump]

If our desire is to have a defensive line he should be on it

Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall

That line would have 80% D zone starts, but spend 80% of their time firing blanks at the opposing goalie. Works for me as a shutdown line though , even if they don’t score.

Kase adds a bit of offense to a line with Kampf Mikheyev. Keep Engvall on the 4th, he’s fine there too.

When everyone’s healthy he probably gets scratched.

 

[al secord]

He's on the team. What's deserve got to do with it?

 

[egd27]

Engvall will most likely be a healthy scratch once Mikheyev returns. Until another injury happens where he can slot back in.

Once Mik and Mza are back they will have to go back to a 21 man roster, so someone besides Semyonov will have to go.

 

[ottomaddox]

Interesting point. Simmonds definitely brings the least to the table of anyone on the team.

The race to the bottom is a close one, between 3 or 4 players, and I don't always think Simmonds is the one leading it. Your comment is a biased/emotional one.

 

[MattySnipes]

We've seen quite a bit of him now and know when he's on (rarely) he is so useful to have.

But anytime he loses motivation or things going low, he disappears. Need to see that consistency more going forward. I havent minded him too much with Kämpf and Kaše.

We'll see how his season progresses.