Jacob Fowler hasn't signed with the Montreal Canadiens so maybe it has to do with burning that year of the ELC. Guess what, that's what you do when you sign a potential NHL star who plays college. That's the deal and if the Canadiens don't do that, he will stall. This is expected. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/dcd31f11-b05d-420b-b57c-166085be54c8.jpeg] Fowler has his NHL dream and he should get at least one game and then he should go to Laval for the playoffs. He has great ability but he is 20. He is mature and plays like an older goalie but this isn't the time to throw him into the soup. I'm sure that's part of this conversation they must be having as well. Fowler needs to play at least half a season in the AHL next year to make sure he is up to the task. Most need much more time to develop. There's a reason there aren't a lot of very young goalies in the NHL. There is a path to development that most teams follow especially with goalies because it's a hard position mentally. The Canadiens don't have any bargaining power here. Fowler could go back and then watch Montreal sweat after that. I don't think that's going to happen but the longer this goes the more it makes you think about it. Burn the first year of ELC. Give him all top bonuses. Give him a game and move on. He is your future. Trying to reinvent the wheel here can create bad feelings between the player and the organization and that's the last thing you want to do.
