The Canadiens may have found themselves with a trade asset that keeps popping up in conversations around the league.
At the most recent trade deadline, Engstrom was the Montreal player other teams asked about most often in discussions with Kent Hughes. That kind of attention says plenty. The defenseman has the sort of profile clubs chase: NHL-ready, mobile, and able to line up on either side.
Engstrom already got a taste of the league last season, appearing in 15 NHL games without looking out of place. He also stood out in the AHL, which only adds to the appeal. For teams hunting for a young blue-liner who can move the puck and handle both left and right side duty, that package carries real value.
Montreal’s own depth on defense is part of why Engstrom has become such an intriguing piece. The Canadiens are crowded on the blue line, and that makes him a natural candidate to be moved if the right deal comes along.
It’s a familiar kind of thinking for the organization, too. Montreal used that same logic when it acquired Noah Dobson last summer.
The bigger picture is clear: the Canadiens want another swing like that, even if it means paying up for a major name. The goal is to add help before the start of 2026 training camp.
For now, though, the club is holding firm on its highest-end prospects. Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky appear to be off limits in Hughes’ view, which leaves Engstrom sitting in that middle ground - valuable enough to matter, but not untouchable.
There’s also another angle floating around. Some around the team believe Montreal would be better off keeping Engstrom and using Kaiden Guhle as the trade piece instead. Guhle was limited to 39 games last season and carries a $5.55 million cap hit, which makes him part of the discussion as well.
Montreal doesn’t need to rush anything. Still, having a player like Engstrom gives Hughes leverage, and the possibility of flipping Guhle for an impact forward remains on the table. However it plays out, the Canadiens have a decision coming that could shape the next move in their roster build.
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