December 2, 2024 | 2:15pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

ENGVALL STILL ON THE OUTS WITH ISLANDERS?

Pierre Engvall, forward

As the New York Islanders continue to struggle with consistency, currently sitting on the outside of the playoff picture, speculation has ramped up over the futures of some of their veteran players like Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, both of whom are playing on expiring contracts.

While the Islanders are not believed to be close to moving either player, right now, the future of another forward remains in question.

Pierre Engvall was scratched from Saturday’s game as the Islanders went with 11 forwards and seven defencemen in a 3-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The decision to sit Engvall was later explained by head coach Patrick Roy as an attempt to send him a message to up his level of play.

The 28-year-old is in the second season of a seven-year, $21 million contract and owns a 16-team no-trade list as part of his deal. He was already sent down to the AHL earlier in the season, playing six games with Bridgeport, and has tallied three goals and two assists in 16 games with the Isles, to date.

With limited salary cap space to play with, it may be in the team’s best interest to move Engvall and his $3 million cap hit, though GM Lou Lamoriello has not found any takers to this point and moving him may be unrealistic this season.

Nelson and Palmieri will surely generate significant interest if they become available later in the season, and the Islanders could capitalize on their offensive production by asking for first-round picks in packages for each player.

Conversely, the Isles may have to sweeten the pot for another team to take on Engvall’s contract, especially after he cleared waivers once already this season.