Pierre Engvall cleared waivers on Monday and was reassigned to the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. There are a few different options as to where this ultimately goes for the organization and the 28-year-old entering the second season of a seven-year, $21 million deal and signed to be a top-six forward.
For now, $1.15 million of Engvall's $3 million average annual value is buried. But having $1.85 million count against the $88 million salary cap ceiling for a player that's not being used will hinder the Islanders' ability to make in-season moves. Immediately, it means the Islanders have cap room for 22 players, one less than the NHL's 23-man maximum.
President/general manager Lou Lamoriello, discussing on Sunday the decision to place Engvall on waivers, indicated trading Engvall was certainly a possibility. Right now, that looks like a best-case scenario for both sides.
Free-agent signees Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov both earned spots among the top-six forwards and Simon Holmstrom will start the season where Engvall finished last season on third-line center Jean-Gabriel Pageau's right wing along with Anders Lee.
"We still believe in him and his talent and his abilities," Lamoriello said. "But there's only so much room with Anthony coming in and then Max fitting in. Things can change. You never know if something doesn't transpire."
So Engvall and the Islanders could bide their time and have him as a depth option in case of injury. Engvall last played in the AHL in 2019-20 in the Toronto organization before earning a full-time role with the Maple Leafs.
Lamoriello, the former Maple Leafs GM, acquired Engvall for the Islanders at the trade deadline in 2023, then signed him to a lengthy deal in the offseason to keep the AAV more manageable.
Engvall had 10 goals and 18 assists in 74 games and added a goal and an assist in five playoff games last season. But he was a healthy scratch three times, twice by former coach Lane Lambert and once under Patrick Roy.
Tsyplakov, Holmstrom, Oliver Wahlstrom and Julien Gauthier all outplayed him in training camp.
"I felt pretty good at the end of our season," Engvall told Newsday during training camp. "Our line was really pushing at the end of the season, the last 10 games and the playoffs. I think, for me, it's more about taking that part and bringing that work ethic into this season."
If Lamoriello cannot find a trade partner -- he'd likely have to include a second- or third-round pick and take little back -- and Engvall is not recalled at some point this season, the Islanders might consider a buyout next offseason.
The salary cap ceiling is expected to rise approximately another $4 million for 2025-26.
If Engvall were bought out after this season, it would cost the Islanders $10 million in actual money and $1 million against the cap for 10 seasons.
Goalies Marcus Hogberg and Jakub Skarek, defensemen Samuel Bolduc and Grant Hutton and forwards Liam Foudy, Fredrik Karlstrom and Hudson Fasching also all cleared waivers and were reassigned to Bridgeport.