Eric Engels
@ericengels.bsky.social
Sr. Columnist @Sportsnet. Montreal Canadiens/NHL Beat http://threads.net/snericengels Insta: http://instagram.com/snericengels/
Pinned
Canadiens' St. Louis must adjust third line after costly loss to Sabres
The Canadiens lost in the trenches, on the forecheck, and were ground down by the Sabres. Something has to change.
Eric Engels breaks down the Habs' need for a change to their third line after a cost...
www.sportsnet.ca
The Canadiens had a great third line last season, but they’ve been searching for one ever since.
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Reposted by Eric Engels
The Canadiens had a great third line last season, but they’ve been searching for one ever since.
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' St. Louis must adjust third line after costly loss to Sabres
The Canadiens lost in the trenches, on the forecheck, and were ground down by the Sabres. Something has to change.
Eric Engels breaks down the Habs' need for a change to their third line after a cost...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 16, 2026 at 5:04 AM
The Canadiens had a great third line last season, but they’ve been searching for one ever since.
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The Canadiens had a great third line last season, but they’ve been searching for one ever since.
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' St. Louis must adjust third line after costly loss to Sabres
The Canadiens lost in the trenches, on the forecheck, and were ground down by the Sabres. Something has to change.
Eric Engels breaks down the Habs' need for a change to their third line after a cost...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 16, 2026 at 5:04 AM
The Canadiens had a great third line last season, but they’ve been searching for one ever since.
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Some injuries healing up soon might help, but MSL shouldn’t wait one more second to assemble a third line that’ll play to the identity he’s been searching for👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Reposted by Eric Engels
Texier knew capitalizing on his success while he was still enjoying it was the right thing to do, and it sets him up for more of it.
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
New contract represents high upside for Alexandre Texier, Canadiens
If the upside wasn’t obvious enough to Alexandre Texier, he wouldn’t have signed the $5-million contract he was offered by the Canadiens on Wednesday.
Eric Engels dives into why the commitment made s...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 14, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Texier knew capitalizing on his success while he was still enjoying it was the right thing to do, and it sets him up for more of it.
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Texier knew capitalizing on his success while he was still enjoying it was the right thing to do, and it sets him up for more of it.
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
New contract represents high upside for Alexandre Texier, Canadiens
If the upside wasn’t obvious enough to Alexandre Texier, he wouldn’t have signed the $5-million contract he was offered by the Canadiens on Wednesday.
Eric Engels dives into why the commitment made s...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 14, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Texier knew capitalizing on his success while he was still enjoying it was the right thing to do, and it sets him up for more of it.
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The Canadiens took the lesser of two risks committing to Texier now, and the upside for them is also substantial. More on that, here👇
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
On maintaining high standards, even when it appears impossible 👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens focus on process, not excuses after latest loss
In a season about growth and maturity, the Canadiens aren't using excuses to justify their latest loss.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 14, 2026 at 5:16 AM
On maintaining high standards, even when it appears impossible 👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Reposted by Eric Engels
Ivan Demidov has been great, and this is just the beginning 👇🏻 www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' Demidov impressing teammates, dominating as expected
Everything Demidov has done since stepping out of Russia and into the brightest spotlight in the NHL, in Montreal, has been nothing short of impressive.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 13, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Ivan Demidov has been great, and this is just the beginning 👇🏻 www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Ivan Demidov has been great, and this is just the beginning 👇🏻 www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' Demidov impressing teammates, dominating as expected
Everything Demidov has done since stepping out of Russia and into the brightest spotlight in the NHL, in Montreal, has been nothing short of impressive.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 13, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Ivan Demidov has been great, and this is just the beginning 👇🏻 www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Josh Anderson was on the ice for Habs optional this morning
January 11, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Josh Anderson was on the ice for Habs optional this morning
Reposted by Eric Engels
Kaiden Guhle officially back tonight.
January 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Kaiden Guhle officially back tonight.
Reposted by Eric Engels
On the Canadiens winning the hard way, the way they’ll have to through the rest of the season.👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens out-muscle Panthers to claim top spot in Atlantic Division
Alexandre Texier stood at his stall wearing a smile from ear-to-ear after posting his first NHL hat trick. But it was something else Texier was wearing on his face that told the story of this night fo...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 9, 2026 at 6:02 AM
On the Canadiens winning the hard way, the way they’ll have to through the rest of the season.👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
On the Canadiens winning the hard way, the way they’ll have to through the rest of the season.👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens out-muscle Panthers to claim top spot in Atlantic Division
Alexandre Texier stood at his stall wearing a smile from ear-to-ear after posting his first NHL hat trick. But it was something else Texier was wearing on his face that told the story of this night fo...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 9, 2026 at 6:02 AM
On the Canadiens winning the hard way, the way they’ll have to through the rest of the season.👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Reposted by Eric Engels
These Habs can score…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens showcase new era of talent, depth in decisive win over Flames
With the fans at Bell Centre surfing the wave for five minutes, Dustin Wolf's first-period performance became a distant memory. As did the days over which the the Canadiens' lack of opportunism too of...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 AM
These Habs can score…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
These Habs can score…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens showcase new era of talent, depth in decisive win over Flames
With the fans at Bell Centre surfing the wave for five minutes, Dustin Wolf's first-period performance became a distant memory. As did the days over which the the Canadiens' lack of opportunism too of...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 AM
These Habs can score…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
The talent is essential, but the structure and principles are equally important for a really effective power play.
Remember when people thought Martin St. Louis didn't know how to run one?
Remember when people thought Martin St. Louis didn't know how to run one?
January 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
The talent is essential, but the structure and principles are equally important for a really effective power play.
Remember when people thought Martin St. Louis didn't know how to run one?
Remember when people thought Martin St. Louis didn't know how to run one?
Habs made the mid-season grade, also showing potential to improve in every area.
Players will return soon, goaltending has already stabilized, and we’ll see what Kent Hughes cooks up to cement the team’s playoff chances:
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Players will return soon, goaltending has already stabilized, and we’ll see what Kent Hughes cooks up to cement the team’s playoff chances:
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens mid-season report: Good results driven by talent
Despite injuries to key players and mostly subpar goaltending, Eric Engels says it couldn't have gone much better for the Montreal Canadiens through a little more than half a season.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 6, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Habs made the mid-season grade, also showing potential to improve in every area.
Players will return soon, goaltending has already stabilized, and we’ll see what Kent Hughes cooks up to cement the team’s playoff chances:
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Players will return soon, goaltending has already stabilized, and we’ll see what Kent Hughes cooks up to cement the team’s playoff chances:
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Impressive run for the Canadiens…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens end road trip with lineup, game in proper balance
This was a gutsy win, earned on the second half of a back-to-back, against a rested Dallas Stars team, and it showed just how well the pieces have fallen into place for the Montreal Canadiens.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 5, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Impressive run for the Canadiens…
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
You could see Gallagher and Danault reviving chemistry together in STL…
Add a healthy Anderson to Gallagher and Danault and the Canadiens could rekindle what they had with Dvorak while getting more offence out of all three players. 👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens shut out by Binnington, but Gallagher-Danault reunion shows promise
It was a tough afternoon for the Canadiens, but a great one for Team Canada.
Eric Engels breaks down Jordan Binnington's shutout performance and how the reunion of Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danau...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 4, 2026 at 7:23 PM
You could see Gallagher and Danault reviving chemistry together in STL…
Add a healthy Anderson to Gallagher and Danault and the Canadiens could rekindle what they had with Dvorak while getting more offence out of all three players. 👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens shut out by Binnington, but Gallagher-Danault reunion shows promise
It was a tough afternoon for the Canadiens, but a great one for Team Canada.
Eric Engels breaks down Jordan Binnington's shutout performance and how the reunion of Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danau...
www.sportsnet.ca
January 4, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Add a healthy Anderson to Gallagher and Danault and the Canadiens could rekindle what they had with Dvorak while getting more offence out of all three players. 👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Reposted by Eric Engels
Big win without Mike Matheson…
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' depth the difference in wild win over Hurricanes
Guys like Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom and Jayden Struble elevated their games for the Canadiens on Thursday. The depth paid off in a big way.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 2, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Big win without Mike Matheson…
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
It’s Cole Caufield’s 25th birthday. He has 20 goals and 20 assists in 40 games and Olympic dreams.
They may not be granted today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be by February. Lot of hockey to play between now and the beginning of the tournament…
They may not be granted today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be by February. Lot of hockey to play between now and the beginning of the tournament…
January 2, 2026 at 5:46 AM
It’s Cole Caufield’s 25th birthday. He has 20 goals and 20 assists in 40 games and Olympic dreams.
They may not be granted today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be by February. Lot of hockey to play between now and the beginning of the tournament…
They may not be granted today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be by February. Lot of hockey to play between now and the beginning of the tournament…
Big win without Mike Matheson…
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Canadiens' depth the difference in wild win over Hurricanes
Guys like Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom and Jayden Struble elevated their games for the Canadiens on Thursday. The depth paid off in a big way.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 2, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Big win without Mike Matheson…
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
First one for the Canadiens in Carolina in nearly a decade👇🏻
www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
Turns out Mike Matheson not able to play in the end. But hey, Brad Marchand will play in the Winter Classic…
January 1, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Turns out Mike Matheson not able to play in the end. But hey, Brad Marchand will play in the Winter Classic…
Canadiens are being cautious with Kirby Dach’s return from a fractured foot. We’re at the six-week mark, but might be just a bit longer before he’s 💯.
Meanwhile, Kaiden Guhle trending in the right direction. Some optimism he could be back shortly after Habs return from the road.
Meanwhile, Kaiden Guhle trending in the right direction. Some optimism he could be back shortly after Habs return from the road.
January 1, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Canadiens are being cautious with Kirby Dach’s return from a fractured foot. We’re at the six-week mark, but might be just a bit longer before he’s 💯.
Meanwhile, Kaiden Guhle trending in the right direction. Some optimism he could be back shortly after Habs return from the road.
Meanwhile, Kaiden Guhle trending in the right direction. Some optimism he could be back shortly after Habs return from the road.