Prospect Info: Adam Engstrom

[Intangir]

For those who have watched the Rockets games, how good has he been defensively?

Engstrom was an "adventure" defensively the first couple of regular-season games for Laval, with most of his mistakes being over-aggression on pinches offensively or failing to properly map-out D coverage with his partner leading to guys getting open, receiving passes, and getting grade-A scoring chances (and screwing Dobes out of save percentage points on more than one occasion).

But then I feel that Engstrom started adapting, that the AHL coaching and NA experience started to make its way through him. Since the last 6-7 games I feel that Engstrom started playing a simpler, more patient type of game, and actually has been more than decent defensively for a rookie D that is new to the NA game.

I'd argue that Enstrom has been MUCH better this year to start his AHL career than Mailloux was in his first 10-15 games last year.

Now, if Engstrom manages to generally match Mailloux's unbelievably-fast pace of development defensively from last year then we'll really be in business.

I mean, Mailloux basically went from "even career ECHL-defensemen wouldn't suck that much defensively" the first couple games to "very solid at the AHL level" before the midway point of last season. That progression was crazy to see, I had never seen such a drastic in-season change in so few games in more than 20 years seriously following Canadiens prospects.

 

[montreal]

For those who have watched the Rockets games, how good has he been defensively?

he's had his ups and downs as you would expect as he adjusts to the smaller ice.

 

[Tyson]

he's had his ups and downs as you would expect as he adjusts to the smaller ice.

His skating and ability to transport the puck up ice is elite. He just needs this entire season and a long playoff run. A 92nd overall pick this good is rare.

 

[Tyson]

There is alot of talk about Mailloux being a great prospect and I think he is but don't be surprised if Engstrom ends up being as good or better.

 

[HuGort]

There is alot of talk about Mailloux being a great prospect and I think he is but don't be surprised if Engstrom ends up being as good or better.

Does Engstrom have a future on our team? We already over stacked on left side

 

[Intangir]

Does Engstrom have a future on our team? We already over stacked on left side

Hutson and Guhle are probably there to stay, but Guhle can play the right side.

Aside from that Matheson is a vet that will be gone in a couple of years, Xhekaj brings toughness but hasn't really elevated his play the past couple of seasons, so they could get replaced/supplanted by Engstrom if he develops well.

Now, I think we're gonna be looking at some veteran defensemen in the next year or two so that might muddy the waters a bit, maybe we also luck-out and manage to get Matthew Schaefer at the draft, but until then Engstrom definitely has a path to the NHL for us.

So if Engstrom keeps developing I don't see why he couldn't be an NHL defenseman for us. He has the skills, skating, size, and he's working on the defensive side of the puck, as well as cleaning-up his decision-making and bulking-up. Maybe in 2-3 years he ends up a good defenseman for the Canadiens, maybe he busts, either way it's still too soon to call it.