Photo of Jacob FowlerPhoto credit: Reddit

With the early retirement of Carey Price, the Canadiens, for a rare time in recent years, do not have a star goaltender in their ranks.

Samuel Montembeault is good, but he is not of the caliber of number 31 or 33, nor even 60 (Théodore).

However, we might not have to wait long before the tradition of great goaltenders returns to town. According to Pierre McGuire, the Canadiens have a superstar goalie in their ranks.

Pierre McGuire mentions that the Canadiens have acquired a superstar by drafting Jacob Fowler

This is what the analyst and former NHL GM mentioned during a recent appearance on Tony Marinaro’s Sick Podcast. Openly stating that he is a fan of Fowler, McGuire claims that after one last season at Boston College and another in the AHL, Fowler will have nothing left to prove. He will then be ready to make the jump to the big club.

“First of all, this young man is a superstar. He’s not just good, he’s really good! I would probably let him play one last college season with Boston College so he has a chance to participate in the Frozen Four, then I would give him a full year in the American League next year. Honestly, he won’t have much left to prove after that.”

– Pierre McGuire

McGuire’s view aligns with that of the Canadiens’ VP of Hockey Operations, Jeff Gorton. Gorton recently admitted that if Fowler continues his current progression, he will play in the NHL sooner rather than later.

“He’s a very focused young man; he possesses all the qualities we look for in a goaltender. He has the right size, he’s quick, he has the right mindset, nothing really rattles him, so I think for him, it’s just a matter of continuing to play!”

– Jeff Gorton

The 69th overall pick in 2023 continued to impress last season. He posted a record of 32-6-1 with Boston College, maintaining a save percentage of .926 and a goals-against average of 2.14.

We remember that last January, Ryan Whitney had much to say about Fowler on his podcast, Spittin’ Chiclets. He even compared him to a certain Dominik Hasek combined with Patrick Roy, Carey Price, and Martin Brodeur.

That’s saying something!