Two Montreal Canadiens named to the NHL Network's top 25 prospects

The NHL Network released its list of the 25 best prospects in the NHL, two of which are in the Montreal Canadiens organization. The criteria for eligibility on the list are that you must be under 26 years old and have played fewer than 25 games for a skater and 15 for a goalie (including playoffs). The Canadiens have the number two-ranked prospect in Ivan Demidov and the 24th-ranked prospect in Jacob Fowler. The surprise omission is defenceman prospect David Reinbacher, who was the 5th overall pick in 2022 and could be competing for a roster spot in training camp. The rankings speak volumes for the Canadiens, who are a team on the rise, while simultaneously having one of the best prospect pools in the entire league, setting themselves up for the present and the future.

Demidov is the number one-ranked forward on the list and is coming into this season with high expectations. He started last season in the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA and had a great season, recording 19 goals and 49 points (leading the team) and taking home the Rookie of the Year trophy. Demidov continued that momentum after coming over to the NHL for the final two games of the season, scoring a goal and an assist. He followed that up with an impressive playoff performance for the Canadiens, registering two assists in five games, generating a lot of buzz about what he could produce in his rookie season. So much so that he is currently the betting favourite to win next year's Calder Trophy on most gambling sites, including on Fanduel, where he is a +230 favourite. Demidov will have the opportunity to showcase his talents this season in a top-six role for the Canadiens, and if he can take home the Calder Trophy, it will be only the fourth time in NHL history that a team has a back-to-back rookie of the year winners, the first since 1967-68.

Fowler is the only goalie to make the list, and while it will be a couple of seasons before the Habs fans will see him in the bleu, blanc, et rouge jersey, there is still a lot to be excited about. His NCAA numbers speak for themself, going 25-7-2 with a 1.63 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage last season, winning the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie. Following the end of his season with Boston College, Fowler signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens and went straight to Laval to play for the Rocket in the AHL. With the Rocket facing an injury to starter Cayden Primeau late in the season, Fowler stepped in to fill the void for the Calder Cup Playoffs. In eight games before Primeau returned, Fowler recorded a 3-3 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. With Primeau now gone, Fowler will go into the next season as the starter for the Rocket, giving Canadiens fans a better look at their potential future number one goaltender.

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