Montreal Canadiens fans don’t get a lot of breaking news in the month of August, so here at A Winning Habit, we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 31 prospects currently in the Habs organization. Each player was carefully deliberated by our writers and ranked accordingly. Today, we’re onto the 8th-ranked player, Adam Engstrom.
Another smart, mobile, two-way defender to come out of the Djurgardens Hockey system in Sweden. Adam Engstrom was selected in the third round of the 2022 NHL draft, after a 10-game stint split between the U18 and U20 programs. His seven points through six games with the under 18’s earned him the promotion, but he was held pointless through four U20 games.
The following season, however, is when Engstrom acclimated himself with the U20 club and even earned himself a promotion to SHL (Sweden’s top professional League) albeit just one game, in which he was held pointless. With the J20 National team, Engstrom had great success, scoring 28 points in 45 games against stiffer competition. In the playoffs he continued his strong play, posting seven points in six games, helping his squad to a Silver Medal finish.
In 2022-23 Engstrom’s game elevated to another level, and the young defender showed his high IQ, and smooth skating style aids his puck-carrying and transitional abilities. He regularly joined in on the rush, and his ability to find teammates with hard, crisp passes fueled his offensive game. Defensively, he kept pace with his opponents and his defensive stick was very disruptive, and to his credit, he used it often.
Both Rogle and Engstrom got a great viewing of Engstrom’s game at the SHL level, as he suited up for 43 games, and he produced a modest six goals and 10 assists. Slated to play his 2023 season in the SHL, Engstrom is primed for a big season, which could translate to a transition to the North American ice in Laval or Montreal. He has an intriguing toolkit, and his consistency at just 19 years old has been impressive.
The Canadiens are putting together a talented prospect pool, and on the defence side, while he isn’t getting a ton of exposure, Adam Engstrom is right there with the club’s best prospects. A blueline that struggles to produce offense will soon be a thing of the past for the Habs, and their powerplay.
And rest assured, Engstrom is rated at #8 on our list, but he is a stud, and will certainly push for a spot in the Canadiens fold sooner than later.
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