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Adam Engstrom didn't get to celebrate long when the Montreal Canadiens won Game 7 on Sunday over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He had to travel quickly, because he'd been assigned back to the AHL Laval Rocket.
The Rocket are still alive in their postseason, too, so this has the potential to be a busy stretch for Engstrom.
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Why did Canadiens send Adam Engstrom back to AHL?
The reality is that Engstrom didn't have a path to playing time right now at the NHL level.
With Noah Dobson back from injury, Arber Xhekaj was removed from the lineup and became the extra defenseman to be a healthy scratch.
Engstrom was behind Xhekaj on the depth chart, so his place really had no immediate value.
And then down on the farm, the Rocket trail their best-of-five series 2-1 to the Toronto Marlies. Engstrom can try to keep them alive.
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The 22-year old had 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) in 45 games at the AHL level already this season.
Engstrom appeared in 15 NHL games this season, as well, quality experience that should help him as he tries to help keep Laval alive in the postseason.
The 2022 third-round pick might still have a solid NHL future. But right now, his best value to the Montreal organization is down in the AHL.
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