Adam Engstrom is a lesser-known defender among CH fans. Because of his years spent in Europe, let’s just say he’s less talked about than the Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux of this world.
Seeing him arrive in North America will help change the situation. After all, the one who logically lines up to start the next season in Laval will be more easily in the eyes of people who follow the CH.
And if he performs well down there, it will be even more obvious.
Obviously, the Canadiens will want to reward their guys on merit and if Engstrom does well, they’ll want to test him in the NHL. But in the short term, seeing him get used to local hockey, the organization’s system and North American rinks under Pascal Vincent makes sense.
Like many young people, it is his performance that will dictate the time he will have to spend down there. Whether it’s no matches or hundreds of them, he’ll have to earn his place in the sun.
But on that subject, how much time could he spend down there?
In the eyes of Simon Boisvert, who broached the subject during the most recent episode of Processus, the European defender would have to spend “a few seasons” in Laval before arriving in the city. And once in Montreal, the Snake sees him as a very good third-pair defender, nothing more.
The good thing is that the Canadiens have that luxury (to let him stew in Laval), if they want to. Obviously, I say this while everyone is healthy and knowing full well that it is possible that in November, a massacre of wounded will force Flanelle to recall a lot of guys.
Assuming that Mike Matheson, David Savard, Kaiden Guhle, Justin Barron and Arber Xhekaj crack the club’s roster, that leaves two or three spots (if the club starts with eight defensemen) for several guys.
- Lane Hutson
- Logan Mailloux
- Jayden Struble
- David Reinbacher
- Adam Engstrom
- William Trudeau
So there’s going to be some struggles in training camp, but there’s also going to be some struggles throughout the season. After all, you know as well as I do that an October roster isn’t exactly set in stone.
Here’s what I’m looking at as of September 18 for the first game of the season, for what it’s worth. Will training camp change that plan? Definitely.
Matheson – Guhle
Hutson – Savard
Xhekaj – Mailloux
Extra: Barron
In a burst
– Erik Karlsson is injured: he is day to day.
– The 35th captain is named: Nick Foligno. It was the right thing to do to set the table for the one who will be the 36th captain in a few years: Connor Bedard.
– It’s up to him to take advantage of it.
– The guys want to play for Martin St-Louis. [BPM Sports]
– What a good guy.
