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.

 

[HuGort]

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.

Quite sure they will keep Wifi as bottom pairing. They going to want his physicality. You going to lose some of Guhle skill playing him on his off hand. Especially in offensive zone. He'll be on his backhand

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

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

Engstrom himself can play the right side. I think as he gets more comfortable in Laval, they should give him some reps on the right if they haven’t already.

 

[montreal]

Engstrom himself can play the right side. I think as he gets more comfortable in Laval, they should give him some reps on the right if they haven’t already.

he's played a little at RD so far but has been mostly LD. He's had his ups and downs just needs a bit of time to adjust and he's got to add strength/mass.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

he's played a little at RD so far but has been mostly LD. He's had his ups and downs just needs a bit of time to adjust and he's got to add strength/mass.

It would help a lot if he could play the right side.

 

[Tyson]

Engstrom will be ready for the NHL by next season, heck he could play right now. There is not a better skating D prospect than this kid. There will need to be room made.

 

[morhilane]

Engstrom will be ready for the NHL by next season, heck he could play right now. There is not a better skating D prospect than this kid. There will need to be room made.

Just hope him or Xhekaj can play on the right side at this point...that's where all the room is.

 

[Tyson]

Just hope him or Xhekaj can play on the right side at this point...that's where all the room is.

There is a surplus of LD for sure that's why I see Struble and Matheson on the outs sooner rather than later.

 

[morhilane]

There is a surplus of LD for sure that's why I see Struble and Matheson on the outs sooner rather than later.

And both are playing RD currently. I expect Struble to go the way of Harris in the off-season.

Guhle, Hutson or Xhekaj are starting to become a very solid left side, that's the bigger problem for any future lefty Ds prospects.

 

[Lockin17]

Engstrom is a nice trading chip i think

 

[Tyson]

Engstrom is a nice trading chip i think

A trade you may regret

 

[Lockin17]

A trade you may regret

we can't play him .. who are you taking out in this line up ?
Even if you take out Matheson and Savard he doesn't have room
Hutson-Ghule
Matheson-Savard
Wifi-Reinbacher
Struble-Mailloux
Barron, Bogdan

 

[Tyson]

we can't play him .. who are you taking out in this line up ?
Even if you take out Matheson and Savard he doesn't have room
Hutson-Ghule
Matheson-Savard
Wifi-Reinbacher
Struble-Mailloux
Barron, Bogdan

He may actually become that good that you have to play him at the expense of others. Don't be surprised if he passes Mailloux on the depth chart. Struble, Barron...are you kidding?

 

[Lockin17]

He may actually become that good that you have to play him at the expense of others. Don't be surprised if he passes Mailloux on the depth chart. Struble, Barron...are you kidding?

well then he needs to learn to play the right side

 

[Tyson]

well then he needs to learn to play the right side

He reminds me of Gustav Forsling...maybe a better skater though. He is that good.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

we can't play him .. who are you taking out in this line up ?
Even if you take out Matheson and Savard he doesn't have room
Hutson-Ghule
Matheson-Savard
Wifi-Reinbacher
Struble-Mailloux
Barron, Bogdan

Guhle is staying in the top LD position. Hutson cannot handle the big minutes yet, he gets exposed regularly.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

He may actually become that good that you have to play him at the expense of others. Don't be surprised if he passes Mailloux on the depth chart. Struble, Barron...are you kidding?

I'm just really hoping he can play the right side with us. It would solve big big problems.

Gotta think they'll try it at some point in Laval. I'm okay with waiting on that but it would be insane to not at least try it. I thought he played enough on the right side in Sweden if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

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.

I hope this is true and Engstrom could make the next step into the NHL level.

 

[jrom]

well then he needs to learn to play the right side

Engstrom played RD often in Europe

 

[badfish]

Engstrom played RD often in Europe

Yeah, I remember watching some highlights of him being on RD and thinking he reminded me of Shea Theodore. Same size, both good skaters, and both LH playing RD.