Montreal Canadiens: Jacob Fowler Gives Reason For Hope In The Habs Crease

The history of the Montreal Canadiens has been one that has seen plenty of brilliant goaltenders who have come and gone.

Carey Price, for better or for worse, should be a name on the list. He never won a Stanley Cup championship, however, prior to his injury in the playoffs at the hands of New York Rangers clown Chris Kreider, the Habs were looking like a Stanley Cup bound train, that had Price playing out of his mind.

There’s also the Stanley Cup Final run in what would end up being the nail in the proverbial coffin of his playing career. He was the main reason the team was able to even get out of the first round, let alone make it all the way to the final round in 2021. Despite having no cup rings to show for it, he has done everything else.

Long story short, Price belongs on any list of the Habs’ greatest goalies of all time. I will take that one step further in saying that he should be right there with Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Jacques Plante and the two Georges. Hainsworth and Vezina.

They all deserve their flowers, and that is significant, especially considering that they were largely the backbone of the Canadiens’ stretches of dominance. As, the winningest franchise in NHL history, with 24 Stanley Cup champions. Don’t get me wrong, the rosters were a strength, but the goalies deserve their praise as well.

Montreal has been lucky enough to keep turning out starting goaltenders, and with Price done. The next man up becomes important, and there are a couple of guys in the mix. Jakub Dobes and Cayden Primeau are looking to make some noise at the pro level this season. And the Habs have some options from the past two drafts.

Yevgeni Volokhin and Quentin Miller have been playing exceptionally well in their respective leagues. The Russian MHL, and The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Both look like guys who should be monitored, but there’s one guy who has stood out from the pack for all the right reasons.

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis gave the kid a piece of advice during training camp in late September. Essentially, St. Louis felt that the best way to prepare is to ensure you’re always ready. You need to continue working and progressing, in anticipation of that rare opportunity, which will present itself. If you blink you’ll miss it basically, so stay ready.

Fowler has in fact been ready, and his 11-2-1 record with the BC Eagles confirms that. Fowler just keeps winning, and he is always in the right place, ready to make the big save. Anticipating, and pivoting to take away as much of the net as he can. The way he makes his progressions and processes the play is near elite level, and he likes to flash the leather à la Carey Price.

Fowler’s Eagles are on a four-game winning streak, and Fowler has maintained an impressive .931 save percentage and a steady 1.98 goals against average. Fowler never seems phased by anything, and he has been a bright spot in the lineup.

With Gabe Perreault, Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Cutter Gauthier running the offense, and Aidan Hreschuk, Charlie Leddy and Eamon Powell on the blueline. The Eagles look to be a power house, and Fowler has been the backbone of it all.

Fowler Looks Like Future NHL Starter

The Canadiens have a wonky three goalie system right now, and it’s anybodies guess who is going to be dealt, extended and glued in the backup role. It doesn’t appear that they are committed to any of the three goalies – Jake Allen, Cayden Primeau or Samuel Montembeault. It seems that the Habs have belief in a young goaltender to sit atop the Canadiens starting goaltender throne.

Fowler is staking his claim to the throne, and if he keeps this play up, he could win goaltender of the year, and rookie of the year honours. His team looks dynamic, and he has been a stud, this team has belief brewing. Fowler might just be the guy to push this squad towards a championship.

He knows the Habs need a starter who will be ready in the next few seasons, and they won’t rush Fowler. But when he is ready, it seems likely that he will have every opportunity to turn pro and work his way onto the Canadiens. Loaded with character, and a desire to keep getting better drive this young man, who’s strong work ethic will serve him well.

The future appears bright for the Canadiens future, the blueline is well on its way and the goaltending seems stocked. I’m not suggesting to refrain from picking other goalies, you have to use assets to your advantage. But adding a few top line, minimum top six projected, elite potential forwards to help the team build the offensive attack for the Martin St. Louis coached Montreal Canadiens.

It’s coming together, and Fowler is just fine on the dark side in Boston. Weirdly enough, with him, Luke Tuch and Lane Hutson, many Habs fans are cheering for Boston to have success in hockey. Add Macklin Celebrini into the mix and the Habs are cooking.

Jacob Fowler manning the grill, as the Habs future number one goaltender.

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