Kyle Dubas has shown a propensity for being proactive when it comes to getting young players signed to bridge deals with economical cap hits. That was the case with former Leafs Calle Rosen and Trevor Moore, and current Marlie Nic Petan last season, and earlier this season with defenseman Justin Holl.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have signed forward Pierre Engvall to a two-year, $2.5 Million contract extension (an AAV of $1.25 Million). The 23-year-old is another developmental success story for the Leafs. After being selected in the seventh round of the 2014 Draft, Engvall spent four seasons at various levels in the Swedish hockey system before joining the Toronto Marlies late in the 2017-18 season.
The 6'5", 214 lb. forward was a vital part of the Marlies checking line in their run to a Calder Cup Championship, and showed a high level of versatility last season playing the wing and filling in up the middle when the AHL club ran into injuries issues.
Engvall was called up in mid-November and has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 35 games playing both center and the wing. This signing is key since the big Swede gives the Leafs some quality lineup flexibility the next few seasons, enabling Dubas to move a center or winger
to acquire defensive help.
In the short term, Engvall appears to be a more viable option as a fourth line center and penalty killer than Frederik Gauthier and may be playing up the middle more in the remaining 25 games.
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