Matt Martin will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Engvall to return to the lineup after not playing in the last contest for the Islanders. Engvall is expected to play on the second line with Kyle Palmieri and a red-hot Brock Nelson. Engvall, however, has been ineffective offensively lately, scoring zero points in his last 10 games after scoring 11 (4G / 7A) in his previous 18.
Engvall had 17 goals, 13 assists, 131 SOG, 31 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 76 games played in 2022-23 with both Toronto and the New York Islanders and has signed a seven-year contract extension worth $21.0 million ($3.0M AAV) with New York. The 27-year-old left-winger was acquired by the Islanders for. 2024 third-round pick at the Trade deadline in 2022-23.
The Maple Leafs are waiting for Engvall to be re-evaluated before they give a specific timeline on his expected return. Reports suggest that it's likely that Engvall could miss some time to begin the 2022-23 season. Toronto should be well equipped to handle his absence with many depth signings/PTOs in camp.
Engvall missed the last three games while in the COVID-19 protocol list but is set to play Saturday in St. Louis. Engvall will replace Nick Ritchie (COVID-19 protocol) in the bottom-6.
With both Mitch Marner and Engvall landing on the COVID-19 protocol list, Brett Seney and Kyle Clifford are expected to re-enter the lineup on Saturday. Jason Spezza moved up to the third line to replace Engvall in Friday's practice session.
Engvall has sat out the last two games but will replace Nick Foligno, who will rest against the Canucks. Engvall has scored three goals and five assists in 37 games.
Nick Robertson was hurt over the weekend and is expected to miss some time, so Engvall comes up from the AHL and should be in the lineup on Monday evening. The 24-year-old Engvall had eight goals and seven assists (15 points) in 48 games with the Maple Leafs last season.
Engvall has made a splash in his first NHL season, scoring seven goals with seven assists (14 points) in 35 games. The former seventh-round pick was over a point-per-game during his time in AHL this season and his two-year extension suggests that he's in Toronto's bottom-6 plans for 2021.
With Trevor Moore going on IR with a shoulder injury, Engvall gets his first career NHL call-up. The 2014 seventh-round pick has been surprising this season, tying for the Marlies team-lead with 16 points (7G / 9A) in 15 games.
