Why It Was Important for the Toronto Maple Leafs to Sign Pierre Engvall

At the start of the 2019-20 season, nobody would’ve thought Pierre Engvall would be on the Toronto Maple Leafs, let alone sign an extension.

The 23-year-old now does and he’s a proud Toronto Maple Leafs player until the 2021-22 season.

A seventh-round steal in the 2014 draft, Engvall has now solidified a spot in this lineup.

Kyle Dubas, you’re a genius (for signing him).

It all started on November 18th, on the eve of the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Engvall was called up after scoring five goals in his last three games with the Toronto Marlies.

“After the game, Mike [Babcock] came and grabbed me and I walked into the training room and they told me,” Engvall said about the call up, “it was an unbelievable feeling and I’m so happy to be here.” (via Maple Leafs YouTube Channel)

The former head coach was never shy about admitting his love for players over six-feet tall, but the relationship with Engvall was a little different.

“It’s not when I think he’s ready, it’s when he thinks he’s ready.” Said Babcock.

Little did they know, Babcock would be let go two days later — after the save of the century and a 4-2 loss against Vegas.

It wasn’t all bad news though for the Ljungby, Sweden native. His coach that he left, just two days before, to join the Toronto Maple Leafs was alongside him again, but this time in the NHL.

That night, Engvall scored his first career NHL goal in a 3-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes.

“I mean just the feeling to score was unbelievable,” said Engvall with a little smirk, “I was just so happy.” (via Maple Leafs YouTube Channel)

The 23-year-old would go into a third line role alongside Alexander Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen, at one point having a stretch of scoring six goals in nine games.

The ‘Gazelle’ signs an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With his new contract, Engvall will see a slight increase in pay of just under $300,000 for the next two years.

An incredible deal for a shifty player, who can play multiple roles on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

You need him at centre? You got it.

Not enough room on the third line? Put him on the fourth and he’ll do wonders.

The 23-year-old has 14 points in 35 games, putting him ahead of usual linemates, Frederik Gauthier and Dmytro Timashov.

Engvall plays wherever he’s needed and even if he doesn’t fit the role, he works incredibly hard. Part of that is from his conditioning, which is said to be the best on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And as of his shot? It’s likely one of the hardest on the team too:

Other than his shot though, Engvall uses his skill in plenty of ways and is a much different player than most. His height (six-foot five) and his speed makes him very deceptive, which is part of the reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs like him so much.

This is just another piece to the puzzle. Not a depth option, but a full-time third or fourth liner, who can play in any situation, when called upon.

It’s a steal of a contract and I’m glad that Engvall is with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two more seasons after this one. He knows what it takes to win a championship and that’s part of what’s needed on this team to win one in the future.