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Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Adam Engstrom
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Adam Engstrom

Originally posted on The Sick Podcast  |  By Nick Lariviere  |  Last updated Aug 3, 2026 6:12 PM ET
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As we get into the dog days of summer and until training camp, thesickpodcast.com will profile Montreal Canadiens players based on their expected role for the 2026-27 NHL season.

This upcoming season is expected to be a make-or-break year for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom, who has the chance to battle his way into a spot at training camp.

The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman’s future with the Canadiens’ organization will depend on whether he can surpass one of Jayden Struble or Arber Xhekaj for a bottom-pairing role in the NHL at some point during the 2026-27 campaign. 

On paper, Engstrom is not expected to make the team, considering that all seven regulars on defence are likely to return (Xhekaj still needs to sign his extension). However, with a good camp, he could potentially push ahead of one or two defensemen on the current roster. 

My colleague JD Lagrange wrote a column last week about the battle that will ensue on the blueline during Canadiens training camp, which has Engstrom as one of the three defensemen that have a chance to steal a spot in the lineup. At the same time, the fact that both Engstrom and David Reinbacher are the only waiver-exempt options mentioned in Lagrange’s article, the Montreal Canadiens may be fine with letting the Swede start the year in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, even if he outplays a couple defensemen on the main roster.

Doing that could allow the Canadiens to avoid the risk of losing Struble or Xhekaj via waivers. With how dominant that Engstrom has been in the AHL, he will likely get his time to prove that he belongs in the NHL for good when an injury or trade happens throughout the year.

Last season, Engstrom finished with 10 goals and 34 points in 45 games with the Rocket as he showed he can be the top guy on defence using his smooth skating and hockey IQ. Engstrom has the ability to play a flashy stick-handling game, but as he’s developed, he has chosen to take fewer risks and focus on making the right plays to avoid getting scored on. As a result, he has become one of the best defensemen in the AHL.

The more he played with the Rocket, the more it looked like he was ready to play in the NHL. Engstrom did get to play his first 15 games in the NHL last season, where he recorded one assist while playing a safe game and avoided taking any risks. In all honesty, he executed what was asked of him very well during his stints in the NHL.

It’s only a matter of time before Engstrom makes it to the NHL full-time, but this upcoming season will likely be whether or not he fits with the Montreal Canadiens for the long-term future or if he could be used in a trade package to bring in a need such as a second-line centre or top-four right-handed defenseman. 

The likelihood of Engstrom developing into an everyday NHLer seems likely with how much he progressed in his two seasons playing with the Rocket. It also helps that Engstrom can play both sides of the ice, as he’ll be able to step into a role easier than a player that can only play on his preferred side. Although due to a defensive log jam in Montreal, it will be hard for the 22-year old to crack the Canadiens roster, and may end up in a trade becoming an NHLer elsewhere. Still, he deserves his chance to show that he can be an everyday NHLer with the Canadiens before they move him.

Therefore, Engstrom likely won’t start the year with the Montreal Canadiens, but don’t be surprised if he progresses into a regular on the roster or is traded before the end of the regular season.

This article first appeared on The Sick Podcast and was syndicated with permission.

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