The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of promising young talent in the pipeline, but Adam Engstrom is the one worth circling for next season. The 6-foot-2 defenseman has been moving in the right direction, and his development took another noticeable step forward in 2025-26.
Engstrom, who was selected in the third round in 2022, put together a strong season with the Laval Rocket. After finishing his first year with the AHL club in 2024-25 with five goals and 27 points in 66 games, he jumped to 10 goals and 34 points in just 45 games last season. That kind of production from the back end is hard to ignore.
He also got his first taste of NHL action this past season, appearing in 15 games for the Canadiens. In those outings, he picked up an assist and finished with a plus-2 rating. For a young defenseman still climbing the ladder, that made for a successful year overall.
With the way Engstrom performed, he is clearly a prospect to keep an eye on during the 2026-27 season. If he keeps sharpening his all-around game, more chances with the Canadiens should be waiting for him next season.
There’s a lot to like in his game, and the possibility is there for him to become a useful piece of Montreal’s blue line down the road. The next step will be seeing whether the 23-year-old can build on that progress when the puck drops next season.
In Other News...
Kirby Dach Contract Twist Just Created A Bigger Canadiens Problem
Kirby Dachs summer has taken on a different kind of intrigue for the Canadiens, and it has less to do with his next step on the ice than with the fine print attached to his qualifying offer. Marco DAmico, relaying information from Eric Engels, confirmed that the issue behind the unsigned offer is tied to the contract structure itself, adding another layer to a situation Montreal already had to manage carefully.
For the Canadiens, the problem is bigger than just getting Dach back under contract. His waiver status means any move to the AHL would come with real risk, since the club would have to weigh the cap benefit of such a move against the possibility of losing him for nothing. In a roster picture that already demands patience and precision, Dach has become one more decision Montreal cannot afford to rush. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Honor Marc Messier With Heartfelt Tribute After His Passing
The Canadiens joined the hockey world in mourning after the passing of actor Marc Messier, issuing an official statement to offer condolences to his family and friends. For generations of fans in Quebec, Messier was more than a familiar face on screen, and the club pointed to the way his work helped connect hockey, entertainment and local identity in a way few performers ever managed.
The NHL also extended its sympathy, underscoring how widely Messier was respected beyond the province and beyond the television set. His name will always be tied to hockey culture in Quebec, and the reaction from Montreal reflected just how much his presence meant to people who grew up with those stories and the game they celebrated. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans May See Demidovs Deal Very Differently Now
Ivan Demidovs contract with the Canadiens finally came together after six months of negotiations, and the early reaction around the deal has been easy to predict: some analysts are already treating it like a bargain for Montreal. But the picture looks a little different from the players side, where the focus is less on whether the price was right and more on the fact that Demidov is now in place and ready to keep building with the organization.
Agent Dan Milstein has pushed back on the idea that the Canadiens somehow got away with a steal, making it clear Demidov is satisfied with the agreement and appreciates the long-term security it gives him. After a rookie season that showed why the hype followed him so quickly, the more interesting part now is how the organization and its newest young cornerstone view the deal as a foundation, not just a headline. [Read more 🡒]