Toronto Maple Leafs February AHL Prospect Review

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with team-mate Jason Spezza #19 after scoring the game winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes at the Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with team-mate Jason Spezza #19 after scoring the game winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes at the Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/NHLI via Getty Images)
3 of 12
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 07: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Pierre Engvall (47) skates with the puck during the NHL regular season game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 7, 2020, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 07: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Pierre Engvall (47) skates with the puck during the NHL regular season game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 7, 2020, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

C/LW; Pierre Engvall, 23, 6’5, 214

AHL; (GP; 15, G; 7, A; 9, PTS; 16)

 NHL; (GP; 35, G; 7, A; 7, PTS; 14)

Being 6′ 5, Pierre has a giraffe like stride, where he has such a strong presence in the middle of the ice, using his long reach and speed.

After being called up due to Trevor Moore’s injury, Engvall stepped into the lineup and immediately contributed in positive ways. Engvall being so effective, is what ultimately got Moore traded to LA. Pierre is still having a regular shift with the Leafs, while killing penalties.

Pierre Engvall has been put in some really difficult minutes and zone starts, having 58% of his starts in the defensive zone, while posting a corsi above 50%. It’s safe to say that the kid is good.

After Pierre’s first 15 games, posting 6 points, Pierre has posted 8 points in his last 19 games. Engvall looks to have hit a bit of a wall in terms of offensive production, going pointless in his last 8 games. It doesn’t help that Toronto just traded for Kyle Clifford either and as a result, Engvall has been pushed to the 4th line.

Leading to more uncertainty, It’s going to be interesting where Engvall stays in the lineup, when Ilya Mikheyev comes back. Engvall has averaged 12 minutes of ice time with the Leafs so far.

Like Adam Brooks, Engvall is approaching the “he is, what he is” stage. Pierre’s potential remains limited, but his size and speed gives him a bigger window for the Leafs.

ETA; Now- Pierre is currently playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Potential; Versatile, top 9 forward with skill and speed, capable of contributing on special teams.