Adam Engström will have to stand out even more
Adam Engström was in his first AHL season with the Laval Rocket. Accustomed to the fast-paced game in Sweden, he now had to adapt to the more physical style of North American hockey. In an organization where many defensemen are knocking on the NHL’s door, how does Adam Engstrom stand out among the others? Here is a complete analysis of his first season with the Laval Rocket.
Adam Engström, a left-handed defenseman for the Laval Rocket, is an intriguing prospect for the Montreal Canadiens organization. At 21 years old, he stands 6’2″ and weighs 190 pounds. Engström primarily plays within the team’s top-four defensive pairings and receives ice time on both the second power play unit (PP2) and the second penalty kill unit (PK2). At even strength, he is often paired with William Trudeau and Josh Jacobs. Recently, he has been playing alongside David Reinbacher, and the duo has been performing well together at five-on-five.
Adam Engstrom: Game Analysis
One of the most striking aspects of the Swedish defenseman’s game is his mobility. He is very agile in open ice and demonstrates great ease in retreating to the blue line before reigniting the attack. When defensive zone pressure intensifies, he generally possesses the explosiveness needed to escape difficult situations. In the offensive zone, Engström excels at shifting the play from one side to the other by attracting pressure and using his mobility. He effectively leverages these qualities to activate the play and create openings.
However, in transition, he has sometimes struggled to move the puck up the ice under heavy pressure, which has limited the effectiveness of his explosiveness in certain games. He has also occasionally ventured too deep into the offensive zone, leaving his partner William Trudeau alone to defend against an opponent’s odd-man rush. This type of decision did not sit well with head coach Pascal Vincent, who scratched him for the second game of a weekend series against Abbotsford. In response, Engstrom adjusted well in subsequent games.
Offensive Skills
The defenseman is not afraid to take shots, although they are not particularly powerful. Unlike a player such as Logan Mailloux, his shot does not stand out for its sheer force. However, it still generates rebounds and creates chaos in front of the opposing net, leading to offensive opportunities for his teammates.
Engström is a skilled passer who can quickly and accurately find his teammates. His decision-making is generally sound—if he does not see a viable option, he prefers to maintain possession rather than forcing a risky pass. His mobility plays a crucial role in his ability to open up plays, allowing him to hold onto the puck and create passing options for himself. Additionally, his puck control is effective, enabling him to maneuver through opponents’ sticks without necessarily having elite hands.
A Physical Game to Develop
Physically, the Swede has some weaknesses. In front of his net, he struggles to assert himself and can sometimes be outmuscled by opposing forwards. He does not stand out for his physical play and is not the type to frequently deliver body checks. He is not a purely physical player, but he can use his body effectively when necessary. However, he does not consistently defend his goaltender’s space aggressively.
Defensively, Engström has good hockey sense and does not give up easily when an opponent tries to get around him. He knows how to execute a well-timed dive or an accurate stick check to break up plays at the last second, which he has demonstrated multiple times in observed games. However, his lack of physicality limits his effectiveness in front of the net and prevents him from truly imposing himself in physical battles.
NHL Projection
In terms of projection, Engström is seen as a future bottom-four defenseman in the NHL. His primary risk factor is the absence of an elite skill that could guarantee him a more significant role on a professional team. His main strengths include his hockey vision, gap control on counterattacks, decision-making, and ability to utilize space through his mobility. On the other hand, his weaknesses lie in his lack of physical impact and his struggles to clear sightlines for his goaltender.
According to projections, Engström is expected to compete seriously for an NHL roster spot around the 2027-2028 season. His development in the AHL and his adaptation to the demands of North American hockey will be key factors in determining the trajectory of his career. For the 2024-2025 AHL season, here are his stats at the time of writing this scouting report:
- Games played: 58
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 20
- Points: 24
- +/-: +15
Conclusion
Adam Engström is an intelligent and mobile defenseman with strong hockey sense, but he will need to improve his physical impact and decision-making in transition to maximize his chances of reaching the NHL. You can find all our scouting reports on Montreal Canadiens prospects in the TSLH Prospects section of the Toutsurlehockey.com website. Here is the link:
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