Patrick Roy Pushing Pierre Engvall To Be More Aggressive: 'That's His Ticket'

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The way that New York Islanders forward Pierre Engvall played against the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Rangers is the exact game he needs to bring on a nightly basis to stick in Patrick Roy's lineup.

In the 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday, Engvall was one of the team's best players. He earned his first assist of the season after Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin failed to hold onto a hard wrist shot, which Cizikas jumped on for an easy goal:

Engvall had three other shots on goal, four of which were in the game against the Buffalo Sabres, which the Sabres won 4-3.

"I think he has really been on his game for the last couple of games," Brock Nelson told The Hockey News. "I think his speed, first and foremost, is something that can drive the play.  Obviously, seeing that firsthand when he was on our line, he could drive the play, drive defenders back, and create some space for himself and for his linemates. So last night [against the Rangers], I think they did a really good job yesterday, driving the play. I think they did a really good job cycling. I thought he did a good job, him and Homer and Zeeker supporting one another, grinding it down low, and then the goal there for Zeeker, just him taking it wide and lifting the shot.

"He's got a heavy shot as well. So the speed and shot combination, when he's moving like that, he can drive the offense."

We asked Nelson what he seems in Engvall when he's on vs. when he's struggling.

"I don't think it's confidence. I think Pierre is confident," Nelson said. "Obviously, he's a good player. And like I said, I think when he's going, you can just tell. He's moving. He's a strong guy. He's big, he's rangy, things you can't really teach.

"When he's moving his feet, protecting the puck, I think that's obviously when you notice him more. You see him flying up the wing, driving back, cutting it back, making plays...you can tell he's feeling good offensively, and he's gonna drive it and generate some opportunities for the guys.

Driving the net is exactly what Roy wants to see more of from No. 18.

"He's a good skater. I mean, he could skate to Sweden, no problem, and I'm not sure he'd be tired," Roy said. "But, I will say this. He needs to bring pucks to the net. That's his ticket, and when he does that, I like him as a player."

Engvall is by no means a physical player despite his 6'5, 215-pound stature.

However, his long reach and speed should allow him to cut to the net and reach the high-danger areas, as well as be the transitioner for his line.

That transitioning skill is why the Islanders acquired him on Feb. 23, 2023, and gave him a seven-year deal worth $3 million annually on July 1, 2023.

But a failure to use his speed effectively is why he began this season in Bridgeport of the American Hockey League.

Related: Pierre Engvall Going To Bridgeport Was 'Absolutely' A Wake-Up Call Says Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello

He was recalled on Oct. 26 after Anthony Duclair was placed on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

After needing a few games to find his game, he's certainly found it and has to continue to bring it with Duclair and Mathew Barzal (LTIR) out of the lineup.

Engvall isn't a young prospect but a 28-year-old, so the chances of him becoming a completely different player at this point in his career are slim.

But if he wants to stay playing on Long Island, he needs to show a willingness to be aggressive, not timid, go to goal, and keep the opposition on their toes when he's out there.

If Engvall can get to the net, he opens up the ice for his teammates.

Right now, with Barzal and Duclair out, the Islanders need their bottom six to produce and Engvall needs to continue to be a reliable option for Roy, not a question mark.