No. 2: Pierre Engvall to the Third Line
Pierre Engvall produced a mixed bag of results in his rookie season with the Leafs. In his first 27 games, the 6”5, 214 lbs. Swede registered 7 goals and 14 points (stats; hockey-reference.com), good enough to earn himself a two-year, $1.25 million extension. However, the flame began to burn out in Engvall’s game as he only scored one goal in his final 21 games, which came against David Ayres.
In the NHL’s return to play, Engvall lost his spot in the Leafs bottom six to the aforementioned Frederik Gauthier. But Keefe recognized the need for more skill lower in the lineup opting to substitute the Giraffe in place of the Goat and boy he did not disappoint. Many nights it seemed as if the Clifford-Engvall-Spezza trio were the only ones who realized this was the playoffs.
Engvall has shown significant promise as a seventh-round pick in his limited NHL run. At just 24-years-old and with a cap hit under $2 million, he is exactly the type of player Dubas needs lower in the lineup. Add in the fact he has incredibly deceptive speed and amazing penalty-killing instincts, it would be wise for the Leafs to keep this kid around. I would expect Engvall to return motivated and ready prove himself even more in his sophomore season, rewarded by Keefe granting him Kapanen’s vacant position.
No. 1: Alex Pietrangelo signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It is impossible to talk about the Leafs this offseason and not bring up Alex Pietrangelo. The crown jewel of the 2020 free agency class, all eyes are going to be on the Blues captain – possibly former captain – when October 9th hits. With Toronto looking to upgrade the right side of their defense, no player fits the bill better than the King City native.
Pietrangelo is a right-shooting, minute-eating, all-situations defensemen, with Stanley Cup experience and leadership qualities that do not come by very easily. The Pietrangelo-to-Toronto rumours have been around for a couple of seasons now but never seemed to gain any traction – until now.
Nobody expected Pietrangelo to actually reach the market. It has long been talked about how GM Doug Armstrong and Pietrangelo’s camp would eventually hammer out a deal and I can guarantee you the second this article is published the two sides will come to an agreement on a contract, but Darren Dreger sent the hockey world into a frenzy with an absolute bomb late night on September 22nd.
Sources say contract talks between the St Louis Blues and Blues captain, Alex Pietrangelo have broken off. The team has advised Pietrangelo to pursue unrestricted free agency.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 18, 2020
Now more then ever does the fit between the defensemen and his childhood team seem so perfect. Pietrangelo is from the area. The Leafs need a top-pairing, right-shooting defensemen.
The stars may be aligning at just the perfect time for the Leafs to finally solve their biggest hole that has alluded them for so many years. Pietrangelo is coming home this offseason.
With just a few more days left until the official start of the 2020 offseason, Kyle Dubas’ biggest job lies ahead.