As the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp rapidly approaches, anticipation and speculation are reaching fever pitch in Montreal.

Martin St-Louis and his coaching staff are gearing up for what promises to be one of the most competitive camps in recent memory, with several roster spots up for grabs and a handful of young talents ready to make their mark.

The battle for a place on the Canadiens’ blue line is already heating up, and whispers around the league suggest that some surprising names could be in the mix.

One particular defenseman has quietly emerged as a dark horse contender, catching the attention of both fans and respected insiders.

After an impressive debut season in North America, this Swedish blueliner is drawing rave reviews from those who watched him closely last year.

With endorsements from veteran journalists and play-by-play experts, it’s clear that expectations are mounting—but the path to the NHL is never simple.

Will this promising young player be able to outshine his competition and secure a coveted spot on the Canadiens’ roster? Or will established favorites hold onto their advantage as camp unfolds? With so much at stake and so many storylines developing, the coming days are certain to deliver plenty of drama—and perhaps a few surprises.

Photo of Martin St Louis

Photo credit: NHL

We are just a few days away from the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp, and already, some interesting battles are taking shape for Martin St-Louis and his men.

Several intriguing battles are indeed emerging for roster spots on the big club.

Among the players expected to fight for a place with the Canadiens is defenseman Adam Engstrom.

He played his first season in North America in 2024-2025, and it’s fair to say he made a very good impression.

In 66 games with the Laval Rocket, the Swedish blueliner collected five goals and 22 assists for a total of 27 points, and a well-known journalist believes he will be one to watch at rookie camp.

As reported by the site DansLesCoulisses, Renaud Lavoie mentioned on BPM Sports that Engstrom had an excellent second half of the season and that the Canadiens’ management appreciates him greatly.

Reinforcements Are Preparing on Defense for Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens, with Young Adam Engstrom

This was also confirmed by Anthony Marcotte, who saw him play in practically every Rocket game last year while doing the play-by-play.

He also recalled how solid the defenseman had been last year during the AHL playoffs.

We should expect that there will be an available spot as the sixth defenseman when the Canadiens’ main camp opens, but players like Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and David Reinbacher probably have a slight lead over Engstrom at this point.

It will be up to him to prove to the entire organization that he has what it takes to play in the National Hockey League.