We’ve reached the top 10 Montreal Canadiens prospects, with silky-smooth Laval Rocket defenceman Adam Engstrom kicking things off.
As a reminder, to qualify for our list, Habs prospects must under 24 years old and have fewer than 75 NHL games under their belt. The rankings are based on the votes from almost 10,000 Canadiens fans.
10. Adam Engstrom, Shoots Left, 21, Defenceman, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’2″, 190 lb. Picked 92nd Overall (2022)
Most of the attention paid to the blue line in Laval last season focused on two defencemen, first-round picks Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher.
And while there’s no doubt they held a little more pedigree heading into the season, Adam Engstrom was actually the top defensive prospect with the most professional experience, owing to the fact that he’s been playing against pros since 2022.
It was quite evident that Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent placed a lot of trust in the 21-year-old, especially in crunch time. It was particularly noticeable in the playoffs, when a few veteran defencemen succumbed to injuries. Mailloux and Reinbacher faded a little, while Engstrom embraced the pressure.
Again, given the discrepancy in experience, it was a perfectly normal result, but it did speak to their respective NHL readiness. I’d go as far as suggesting the trade that saw Mailloux join the St-Louis Blues in exchange for forward Zachary Bolduc was possible in part because Engstrom had surpassed him on the prospect depth chart.
It should be noted that Engstrom has the ability to play on either side of the blue line, a skill he honed while mostly playing on the right for Rögle BK (SHL).
Getting To Know Adam Engstrom
If you’re yet to get a chance to watch Engstrom play in Laval, there’s an easy trick to find him on the ice. He’s the guy who is skating velvet clouds, generating an impressive amount of speed through the neutral zone, facilitating controlled entries into the offensive zone.
The Habs have been blessed with some very high-end skaters throughout their storied history, and I’m not here to propose Engstrom is at the top of the list, but he’s definitely among the most agile and technically proficient skaters in the Montreal Canadiens system. It’s an important skill, especially if he’s to one day ascend to the NHL, as controlled exits and entries lead to higher-quality scoring chances. It’s also an area of weakness for the Canadiens, who find themselves among the bottom-five teams in generating scoring chances off the rush.
Engstrom is very creative, which means he is well suited to play on the powerplay, though it should be noted the Rocket did not use him very much on the man advantage last season.
Potential Montreal Canadiens Impact
Even though some were surprised with Engstrom’s season, it was essentially a continuation of his solid play in the SHL, where he was often used in a top-four role. He does deserve praise for adapting to the new situation, which included a new team, a new country, new teammates, a new rink, a new coach, and a bevy of additional changes that come with moving to a new continent.
I’d also guard against using previously drafted Swedish defencemen in a contrived argument to dismiss Engstrom’s value. I know that fans have compared him to Magnus Nygren and Mattias Norlinder, but the only thing they really have in common is that they were born in the same country, and they play the same position.
Engstrom arrived in Montreal with a much-more polished game than the aforementioned countrymen, not to mention a lot more poise with the puck. If he does reach his ceiling, it will be in a top-four role in the NHL.
What’s Next For Montreal Canadiens Prospect Adam Engstrom
With Mailloux out of the picture, I expect Engstrom to take on an even bigger role with the Rocket should he not be able to earn a roster spot at training camp.
He still needs to work on his overall defensive game, but he did take significant steps to correct some of his defensive woes last season. His gap control improved, and his decision-making was refined, leading to fewer questionable forays into the offensive zone. His elite skating tends to mitigate some of the defensive mistakes, which may give him an inside track at training camp, especially since the Habs are looking to add more defencemen who excel in puck retrievals.
It’s not a matter of denigrating prospects like Reinbacher, either.
Simply put, Engstrom is older, faster, and more experienced.
If Reinbacher needs more time in the AHL, a perfectly normal situation for a young defenceman who missed a lot of games during crucial development seasons, look for Engstrom to quickly make his way to the front of the Montreal Canadiens call-up list.
Previously Published 2025 Montreal Canadiens Prospect Articles:
Canadiens Prospect Rankings No.12 – Tyler Thorpe
Canadiens Prospect Rankings No.11 – L.J. Mooney
Montreal Canadiens Top Prospect Rankings – Final List
Do you agree or disagree with the Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings? Let us know in the comments below!
Montreal Canadiens and Adam Engstrom statistics via Elite Prospects
