Rumor: Canadiens prospect may be headed to Sweden.

One of the Montreal Canadiens defensive prospects does not appear destined for a future in North America, at least not at this very moment.

Mattias Norlinder, a 23 year old defensive prospect that was drafted by the Canadiens in the third round (64th overall) of the 2019 National Hockey League Entry Draft, appears to be on a trajectory to continue his professional hockey career in his home country of Sweden.

The 23 year old spent last season playing on the blue line for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League, appearing in 62 games and recording 2 goals and adding 17 assists for a total of 19 points, but recent developments appear to be pulling him back home.

On Saturday, former NHL scout Grant McCagg revealed that, although Norlinder will be attending training camp with the Canadiens, the Swedish defenseman appears to have a backup plan. McCagg believes that a combination of Norlinder's position on the Canadiens depth chart, as well as a desire from SHL teams to have him on their roster, is likely to result in the Swedish blue liner playing at least another season in his home country.

In fact McCagg indicated on Saturday that he expects him to return to Sweden barring any injuries in training camp with the Canadiens, something that the Habs themselves do not appear to be too concerned about given that Norlinder may not slot into their plans for the upcoming season.

It is unclear for which team Norlinder would be playing in his potential return to the SHL, but he has previously spent two seasons with Frolunda HC, with his time in that organization spanning from 2020 to 2022.