If Boston College goaltender Brandon Fowler continues his strong play as a sophomore — currently sporting an 8-2-0 record, a 1.55 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage, and four shutouts — it’s plausible that he could turn professional following the conclusion of the NCAA season. Given his impressive numbers, Fowler’s development could lead him to the NHL or AHL sooner rather than later.
Additionally, the Montreal Canadiens and their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, are both in a good position for future success. The Rocket, under new head coach Pascal Vincent, have posted an impressive 13-3-1 record. This success bodes well for Fowler’s potential progression, as it’s likely that the Canadiens could look to integrate him into their professional ranks, either with the Canadiens in the NHL or with the Rocket in the AHL, which could see playoff action this season.
The AHL experience would be particularly valuable for Fowler, offering a smooth transition from NCAA hockey to professional play.
Cayden Primeau’s struggles this season — with a 1-2-1 record, a 4.59 goals-against average (GAA), and an .842 save percentage — certainly place additional pressure on the Montreal Canadiens to evaluate other goaltending options more closely. As Primeau’s contract is in its final year, his performance could influence the team’s decision on whether to renew his contract or explore other options, including looking at prospects like Brandon Fowler.
Given Fowler’s outstanding performance as a sophomore at Boston College, with an 8-2-0 record, a 1.55 GAA, a .943 save percentage, and four shutouts, the Canadiens could decide to expedite his transition to professional hockey. Fowler’s play suggests he might be ready to take the next step, whether that be with the Laval Rocket in the AHL or potentially with the Canadiens in the NHL. The Rocket’s strong record under new coach Pascal Vincent could further provide a good developmental environment for Fowler as he adjusts to professional hockey.
The Canadiens may want to give Fowler a chance sooner rather than later to determine if he’s ready for the NHL or if more AHL seasoning is needed before making the leap. Given Primeau’s struggles and Fowler’s potential, it might be an ideal time for the Canadiens to reassess their goaltending depth and future plans.
Do you think Martin St. Louis should try and put Brendan Gallagher among the top-six forwards?
Brendan Gallagher is off to a strong start this season with eight goals in 20 games, putting him on pace for a potential 33-goal campaign, which would match his career-high from the 2018-19 season. His performance is a positive sign for the Montreal Canadiens, especially as he has fit in well alongside Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak. The trio has developed chemistry, and Gallagher has been particularly comfortable with their style of play.
Gallagher credits his success to playing a straightforward game that aligns with his strengths, such as his effective forechecking. He acknowledges that there will be ups and downs in terms of goals, but the focus is on playing to his strengths and working with his linemates to capitalize on opportunities as they arise. This simple, consistent approach is helping him stay productive early in the season.
Gallagher’s chemistry with Anderson and Dvorak highlights the importance of line chemistry and playing a style that suits each player’s skill set. As long as they continue to perform well together, it’s clear the Canadiens will benefit from keeping them intact.
Given Brendan Gallagher’s strong performance so far this season, particularly his chemistry with Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak, it wouldn’t be surprising if head coach Martin St. Louis eventually gives him a shot in a top-six role. Gallagher has been playing a simple, effective game with good forechecking and has been able to capitalize on scoring chances, which could make him a valuable asset in a higher role as the season progresses.
St. Louis has shown flexibility in his line combinations, often rewarding players who are playing well. If Gallagher continues to produce and maintain this level of play, especially as he approaches or surpasses his previous goal totals, it makes sense for the Canadiens to experiment with him in more prominent offensive situations to maximize his impact.
It will be interesting to see if Gallagher’s consistency in producing can earn him more ice time, and potentially a promotion to the top-six, where he can continue to leverage his strengths.
Lane Hutson, who has been playing a significant role for the Montreal Canadiens this season, is averaging 22:56 of ice time per game, trailing only Mike Matheson (24:05). This is a notable workload for a player who is still adjusting to the NHL after spending just two seasons at Boston University, where he never played more than 39 games in a regular season.
Despite his smaller stature (5-foot-9, 162 pounds), Hutson has not shown signs of fatigue and appears well-conditioned, drawing comparisons to Matheson in terms of his physical preparation. Hutson himself enjoys the fast-paced, game-heavy NHL schedule, as it involves fewer practices compared to his college days, allowing him to maintain his game-like intensity throughout the season.
However, as the 82-game grind progresses, it will be interesting to see how Hutson’s body holds up under such a demanding workload. Given that he has no previous experience in such a long season, the Canadiens will likely monitor his condition closely as they rely on his abilities to contribute to both the power play and defensive zone.
What will the Habs do with Jake Evans? He’s a really good fourth-line centre. With Owen Beck coming up, they seem to be just OK at centre — assuming Kirby Dach eventually gets his mojo back. It makes more sense to sign Evans than trade him for mid-round pick IMHO.
Jake Evans has been one of the standout performers for the Montreal Canadiens this season, playing a key role in the team’s success. His promotion to the second line, primarily due to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook being shifted to the wing positions, highlights his importance in the team’s lineup. Evans’ strong two-way play and penalty-killing ability make him an asset in Montreal’s depth chart.
At 28 years old, Evans is in the final year of his contract, earning $1.7 million. Given his contributions this season, it would make sense for Canadiens GM Kent Hughes to offer him a two- or three-year extension around $2 million per season. This move would help maintain depth down the middle for Montreal, especially as they evaluate promising prospects like Filip Mesar and Oliver Kapanen. However, Evans might be able to command more money as an unrestricted free agent next summer, which will make for an interesting negotiation.
The Canadiens are well-positioned to offer Evans stability and an important role, but with the uncertainty around his market value, his future in Montreal could depend on how well both sides navigate these discussions.
