Canadiens: The Jacob Fowler Watch Is On

It’s probably not how Jacob Fowler and his Boston College teammates envisaged things would go down. Last season, they had fallen at the last hurdle, the final of the Frozen Four, and they wanted to go all the way this time, but they couldn’t. After winning their first-round matchup by the skin of their teeth against the Bentley Falcons, they faced the defending champions, the Denver Pioneers, in the second round. For the second year in a row, Denver sent Boston packing. The Pioneers won 3-1 this time, with the third goal scored in an empty net.

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For the Montreal Canadiens, it’s time to negotiate with Jacob Fowler. After a dominating sophomore performance, chances are the young man is ready to turn pro—he has even said he wants to. In 35 games, the netminder kept a 25-7-2 record, posted seven shutouts, and had a 1.63 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. Those numbers speak for themselves, and it’s time to take the next step.

Of course, after seeing his Frozen Four dream collapse, the young man may need some time to grieve, but GM Kent Hughes will undoubtedly contact him soon. Mind you, Cole Caufield’s Wisconsin Badgers were eliminated on March 26, 2021, and on March 27, he signed his entry-level contract.

The question is, however, whether he will sign an ELC that starts this season and get a taste of NHL burning a year of his first pro contract and being ineligible to play for the Laval Rocket in the playoffs? Or will he put pen to paper on a contract that starts next season and includes an amateur contract with the Rocket for the remainder of this year to help them in their quest for the Calder Cup?

Players normally prefer to burn a year of their ELC, which makes them eligible for a standard contract a year earlier, but right now, with the Canadiens in the thick of the playoffs race, will Hughes want to bring a rookie goaltender into the fold?

While Jakub Dobes had a fantastic start to his NHL career, he has struggled recently, and Martin St-Louis only seems to have eyes for Samuel Montembeault. Fowler could always sign and not see any action, but that may not be very pleasant to the young man. Or are the Canadiens so adamant that he is ready that they’d be willing to get him in there with high stakes and the pressure being on? Hughes won't be the only one chasing a Boston College Eagle, Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick will be getting in touch with Fowler's teammate Ryan Leonard. 

Plenty of questions and a fascinating situation to keep tabs on this week, on top of the race to the Spring dance…

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