The Habs Top 10 Prospects: #6 Adam Engstrom

Now, that doesn’t mean he won’t try to make big plays when bringing the puck up, but he knows how to pick his spots a lot better than before and make those plays only when they are available. 

Engstrom has shown that he can now make the right decisions, which as a whole helped the Rocket finish with the best record in the AHL, being led by a solid defensive core of him, Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher, who all have serious NHL potential. 

Laval Rocket Head Coach Pascal Vincent said this about Engstrom at the post-season press conference, “They call him The Beast. He doesn’t put on a show, but in big moments, he’s fully present.He’s not intimidated by those important moments. He wants the puck, he wants to make plays, he wants to contribute to the team’s success. That’s what gets you to the NHL!”  Hearing this type of praise from his coach must also make Engstrom feel confident in his game. 

Then you have his former teammate Logan Mailloux, who said that the guys on the team call him “Bobby Engy” about how he can bring the puck up ice, the way the legendary Bobby Orr did in the late 1960s and 1970s for the Bruins. 

Engstrom may be a reason why the Canadiens move on from Mike Matheson in the long run, as he plays a very similar style to the veteran defenseman. Imagine a future where the Habs would have Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson and Adam Engstrom patrolling the left side of the blueline. The truth is, if Engstrom keeps growing, that could be a possibility as soon as the 2026-27 NHL season. This upcoming season, he should be starting in Laval alongside his defensive partner David Reinbacher, but Engstrom has a nice future in the NHL as a 2nd or 3rd pairing defenseman. 

With how deep the Canadiens left-handed defenseman depth is, it also wouldn’t be shocking if Engstrom ends up getting shipped out in a package for a position like a 2nd line centre, similar to how Mailloux was traded to the Blues this summer. However, at the same time, the Canadiens should be careful not to trade all their defense due to possible injuries.

I believe the Habs will want to at least see what Engstrom can do at the NHL level this upcoming season, now that doesn’t mean we should expect him on the opening night roster, but more so, he will be one of the first call-ups from Laval, in the case where a left-handed defenseman gets hurt. This will allow everyone to truly test where Engstrom is in his development and where they can see him fitting in the team’s long-term plans. 

How do you see Adam Engstrom in the Canadiens’ plans? Will he be on the team, in the AHL or traded elsewhere?