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Montreal Canadiens defenceman Adam Engström has emerged as a potential trade asset in the Dylan Larkin sweepstakes. During his November 6 appearance on TSN 690’s Habs coverage, NHL insider Darren Dreger suggested Montreal might be showcasing the young defenceman and identified him as a possible component of a hypothetical Larkin trade with the Detroit Red Wings.
I’ve covered NHL trades, contracts and salary-cap developments for NHLTradeRumor.com since February 2010. What interests me here isn’t simply Engström’s availability. It’s whether Montreal can turn its defensive depth into a first-line-calibre centre without surrendering too much of its future.
Adam Engström Trade Rumors: What Darren Dreger Revealed
Dreger questioned whether Montreal’s decision to insert Engström into the lineup after Arber Xhekaj had played well was partly an opportunity to showcase the young defender. He believes Engström could be included if the Canadiens successfully pursued Larkin and suggested the prospect’s name has probably surfaced in other discussions.
That’s significant, particularly after Engström scored his first NHL goal against Utah on November 5, helping Montreal force overtime in an eventual 5-4 victory.
However, Dreger did not report an agreed-upon Engström-for-Larkin trade. Larkin has requested a move from Detroit and remains suspended after informing the organization he would no longer play. The biggest problem for Montreal is that the Canadiens are not currently among his reported approved destinations.
Our earlier Dylan Larkin–Utah Mammoth trade analysis examined another potential landing spot, while our Minnesota Wild trade report highlighted Detroit’s difficult asking price.
Mock Trade: Adam Engström to Detroit, Dylan Larkin to Montreal
Here’s a hypothetical package I believe is worth examining. This is my proposal, not an offer reported by Dreger or confirmed by either team.
| Receives | Player / Asset | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | Dylan Larkin, C | $8,700,000 |
| Detroit | Adam Engström, D | $896,667 |
| Detroit | Kirby Dach, C/LW | $3,600,000 |
| Detroit | Josh Anderson, RW/LW | $5,500,000 |
| Detroit | Montreal 2027 first-round pick | $0 |
| Detroit | Montreal 2028 first-round pick | $0 |
Annualized cap-hit illustration, assuming no retained salary. Excludes trade-date proration, replacement players, roster limits, injury relief and other adjustments. This is not a verified executable transaction.
Can Montreal Fit Dylan Larkin’s $8.7 Million Contract?
According to PuckPedia, Montreal had approximately $1.89 million in current cap space in the November 8 snapshot. Detroit had roughly $28.6 million. The 2026–27 NHL ceiling is $104 million.
Engström carries a $896,667 cap hit through this season and becomes a restricted free agent in 2027. Dach earns $3.6 million and Anderson carries a $5.5 million hit, with both contracts expiring in 2027.
Trading all three removes approximately $10 million in annual cap commitments. Adding Larkin’s $8.7 million creates approximately $1.30 million in net savings before roster adjustments. Detroit retains no salary in this model, but Anderson’s modified no-trade protection and Larkin’s full no-movement protection must be respected.
Why Adam Engström Could Fit the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has Moritz Seider anchoring its defence, but Simon Edvinsson’s unresolved contract situation complicates the left side. Engström is a mobile, left-shooting defender who can also handle shifts on the right.
My projected opportunity would begin on a third pairing, potentially alongside Jacob Bernard-Docker, with the possibility of competing for minutes beside Justin Faulk. Those are hypothetical deployments, not reported practice combinations.
At under $900,000, Engström gives Detroit an inexpensive development option. That matters during a retool built around younger contributors rather than another lengthy veteran contract.
The tougher question is compensation. Two first-round picks have meaningful value, but Dach is approaching unrestricted free agency and Anderson is an expensive, short-term piece. Detroit could explore flipping either veteran later, although that return is uncertain.
What Montreal Wants: Turning Defensive Depth Into a Top-Six Centre
The Canadiens aren’t rebuilding from scratch anymore. They’re trying to turn an emerging playoff roster into a more dangerous contender.
Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson provide established left-side defensive options, making Engström more movable than his upside might otherwise suggest.
With Larkin, my hypothetical healthy top-six structure would feature:
Line 1: Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovský
Line 2: Zachary Bolduc — Dylan Larkin — Ivan Demidov
Larkin’s speed, transition game and defensive responsibilities would give Montreal another centre capable of driving a scoring line. Suzuki could retain his established role while Larkin creates an additional matchup problem.
What Past NHL Blockbusters Tell Us About the Asking Price
Vancouver received Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty and a first-round pick for Bo Horvat in 2023. Buffalo received Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and draft assets in the 2021 Jack Eichel blockbuster.
Neither is a perfect comparable. Horvat was approaching free agency, while Larkin is signed through 2030–31. Eichel commanded more established talent despite his medical uncertainty. My takeaway: Detroit may demand a more premium young centerpiece than Engström, especially if the Canadiens want to avoid including Michael Hage or David Reinbacher.
Read more on our Montreal Canadiens news and rumors hub and Detroit Red Wings trade rumors page.
Adam Engström Trade Rumor Meter: Will Detroit Make the Deal?
Verdict: The Engström connection has credible insider commentary behind it, but Montreal’s absence from Larkin’s approved trade list makes a completed deal unlikely without a change of heart. This rating is my editorial judgment, not a reported probability.
Geoff Hannah: My Final Prediction on an Engström–Larkin Trade
I believe Montreal has a legitimate reason to explore a blockbuster, and Engström is exactly the type of affordable young defenceman who could interest Detroit.
But my prediction is that this particular deal does not happen under the current circumstances. Unless Larkin approves Montreal, the trade package is irrelevant. Even if he changes his mind, Shawn Horcoff must decide whether two first-round picks and Engström offset the lack of a proven young star in Detroit’s return.
For me, the bigger story is that Engström may be becoming a serious trade chip. If Montreal cannot land Larkin, Kent Hughes could still use his defensive surplus to pursue a different offensive upgrade.
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