Pierre Engvall

[DatSnipeMatthews]

He did, but otherwise he was a bit of a tire fire.

If Ceci didn't skate away from the puck on the 2nd goal, we would be having a different discussion about Engvall's game tonight.

 

[RoadWarrior]

When the team is fully healthy flip a coin between Moore and Engval as far as contributions. Both pretty even in value to the team IMO.

Engvall > Moore especially on the PK.

 

[kb]

If Ceci didn't skate away from the puck on the 2nd goal, we would be having a different discussion about Engvall's game tonight.

It's not on Ceci, it was a very weak pass across the ice in the most dangerous area. He just needs to cut that out. He's got some good potential.

 

[DatSnipeMatthews]

It's not on Ceci, it was a very weak pass across the ice in the most dangerous area. He just needs to cut that out. He's got some good potential.

Dumb pass but why would a defenseman skate away from the puck in that situation? Why not skate towards the puck? Or even just stand still.

 

[Bluelines]

Dumb pass but why would a defenseman skate away from the puck in that situation? Why not skate towards the puck? Or even just stand still.

To give time and space to the NYR forward... duh....

It's pretty clear 90% of this team has zero clue how to play in their own end. Which comes with time and experience... hopefully.

 

[ruaware41]

He will always be 6'5", but he can play, is smart, excellent skater, seems to learn and might actually have some hands.

I like his processing.

Well you apparently shrink as you get older.

Nah I love his play so far. The only thing is he's gone a bit soft over the last few games. Was way more physical when Keefe first came on.

Using his body to complete hits in a way that takes players out of the play for a few seconds can be advantageous. It's not just about being a tough guy but that can't hurt either

 

[The Iceman]

Love his game. Really love this player for a 3rd line role. Kind of player that can have a very long career, hope he can settle in as a centre.

Interesting thing I have noticed about his game is he really struggles with going off side.
Watch for it. He seems to have horrible timing/anticipation at the line that I am sure will get better in time.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Hope he's not too injured

 

[leafsgirl12]

Hope he's not too injured

agree hopefully he isn't hurt too bad clearly it is a upper body injury likely shoulder or collarbone

 

[Puckstuff]

I'm going to say something maybe controversial.

Pierre Engvall has more potential then Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kapanen.

This guy is so smart and one of the best players i've seen positionally.

He might have 50-60 point potential but at minimum looking at a 40+ very smart third liner.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I'm going to say something maybe controversial.

Pierre Engvall has more potential then Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kapanen.

This guy is so smart and one of the best players i've seen positionally.

He might have 50-60 point potential

I don't think I've seen him do badly at anything he's tried. Effective grinder, effective offensively, effective on the PP, effective on the PK, passable at C after learning it on the fly, surprisingly good net front presence the first time he was tried there.

He'd probably make a good #4 D and backup goalie if we needed him to.

 

[Antropovsky]

I'm going to say something maybe controversial.

Pierre Engvall has more potential then Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kapanen.

This guy is so smart and one of the best players i've seen positionally.

He might have 50-60 point potential but at minimum looking at a 40+ very smart third liner.

When i watch him i always have low expectations, but he continually surprises me with subtle moves. He hangs onto the puck and passes the puck back when he doesnt have good numbers to start a rush. Having the puck in the offensive zone on a penalty kill and flinging all the way back to our zone to kill more time (feels like years since i saw that play by a leaf). He even uses the nylander stop back on the half boards pretty effectively for a big guy.

 

[Puckstuff]

When i watch him i always have low expectations, but he continually surprises me with subtle moves. He hangs onto the puck and passes the puck back when he doesnt have good numbers to start a rush. Having the puck in the offensive zone on a penalty kill and flinging all the way back to our zone to kill more time (feels like years since i saw that play by a leaf). He even uses the nylander stop back on the half boards pretty effectively for a big guy.

Yes! Great possession player. He does that Sundin thing where he can just use his massive height to shield players and control the puck

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'm going to say something maybe controversial.

Pierre Engvall has more potential then Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kapanen.

This guy is so smart and one of the best players i've seen positionally.

He might have 50-60 point potential but at minimum looking at a 40+ very smart third liner.

He's been great but none of what said is true

 

[mapleleaf979]

I'm going to say something maybe controversial.

Pierre Engvall has more potential then Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kapanen.

This guy is so smart and one of the best players i've seen positionally.

He might have 50-60 point potential but at minimum looking at a 40+ very smart third liner.

Its not controversial at all. I agree with you. Engvall has made Johnnson, Kapanen or Kerfoot tradeable. That's a fact for me. Engvall is easily a 3rd liner and imo looked good with Tavares and Nylander. He looked good with Mikheyev-Tavares-Engvall prior. The acceleration for a player his size is outstanding and rare in the NHL for anyone.

 

[garyturner3]

The reach on this kid is fantastic. Every game you watch him racing an opponent for a loose puck along the boards and just when it looks like the other player is there first, Engvall pokes it away with his reach. That speed combined with his reach make him deadly on the PK.

 

[Mess]

The reach on this kid is fantastic. Every game you watch him racing an opponent for a loose puck along the boards and just when it looks like the other player is there first, Engvall pokes it away with his reach. That speed combined with his reach make him deadly on the PK.

Engvall uses his size and skills to his advantage to be successful.

Alone the switch from Petan to Engvall has been a real difference maker for the Leafs.

The return of Hyman and Engvall on the PK has also really helped the Leafs turn the corner on earlier specialty struggles.

Its a shame Mikheyev got hurt and he too was using his size and speed much like Engvall to his advantages.

 

[HogTown06]

Its not controversial at all. I agree with you. Engvall has made Johnnson, Kapanen or Kerfoot tradeable. That's a fact for me. Engvall is easily a 3rd liner and imo looked good with Tavares and Nylander. He looked good with Mikheyev-Tavares-Engvall prior. The acceleration for a player his size is outstanding and rare in the NHL for anyone.

I really liked that line with Tavares centering Engvall and Souperman65.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Justin Holl, and now Engvall. Two players who never got a sniff under Babcock and have now become key contributors when given the opportunity.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Engvall and Mikhayev are the types of players we need. Big, strong, possession players, long reach, and good hockey IQ. We don't need players like Petan on the 3rd and 4th lines, we need these types of players. Marchment I'm not sold on. He's got the size, and is a great grinder, perfect in a Babcock system but not in a Dubas/Keefe system.

 

[Randy Randerson]

so far this management regime hasn't found a star player with a non-premium pick, and it would be a cherry on top to get a Bergeron/Marchand/Kucherov/Josi to supplement this core, but this group has done a fantastic job of getting stars with picks they're supposed to get stars and producing a ton of good NHL replacement talent out of the system....most teams would have had a lineup full of AHL level players if they had 3-4 top 9 forwards out like we have all year, and the Leafs just keep bringing up guys that immediately show they should have been here all along.

The hard part now will be that you probably don't convince the next Mikheyev to come here because of the competition, but maybe you convince the next Panarin because of how good the talent around that player would be if they're confident they can beat out the slough of top 9 forwards.

I feel bad for guys like Bracco, he would have had an NHL opportunity last year on almost every team in the league

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Engvall and Mikhayev are the types of players we need. Big, strong, possession players, long reach, and good hockey IQ. We don't need players like Petan on the 3rd and 4th lines, we need these types of players. Marchment I'm not sold on. He's got the size, and is a great grinder, perfect in a Babcock system but not in a Dubas/Keefe system.

Marchment played one game????

 

[1specter]

I'd like to see him flank Tavares and Nylander and move Kerfoot back to C on the third line. Spezza's speed is getting exposed a bit recently and this line was horrid last night despite scoring a goal, would like him back on the wing.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Mikheyev and Engval are keepers. They both belong in top 9 on our team. They have showed enough. I hope we sign both to good CAP deals.
I think we need to move out AJ and/or Kappy to make more room. I would keep Kappy because he can play 3rd line RW and produce both on offense, defense and PK and the speed he brings really helps our team. AJ falls down too much but he has much more offensive output. He will get us some draft pick/backup goalie capital.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'd like to see him flank Tavares and Nylander and move Kerfoot back to C on the third line. Spezza's speed is getting exposed a bit recently and this line was horrid last night despite scoring a goal, would like him back on the wing.

I don't know why they took Kerfoot off 3C unless they want to know if they can move Johnsson but that just makes a hole at 3C

You could (if healthy and entering the playoffs) roll...

Soup-Matthews-Marner
Hyman-JT-88
Engvall-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Timashov-Spezza-Moore?
Gauthier

I would still like to add a bit of nasty on that 4th line like a Clifford at the deadline.