yardbarker
Occasionally, a young athlete refuses to adhere to the organization's schedule. He capitalizes on an opening, delivers results, and leaves team executives with a fresh dilemma. That scenario appears to be unfolding with Jacob Fowler and the Montreal Canadiens.
Fowler turned aside 33 of 34 shots in Montreal's 2-1 Heritage Classic victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The win marked his fifth consecutive triumph, and he has surrendered only one goal in each of his past two outings. Such statistics are remarkable for any netminder, let alone a 21-year-old still adjusting to the NHL.
Yet the intrigue surrounding Fowler extends beyond his numbers. It lies in how rapidly the situation has evolved. Fowler opened the season with Laval after being assigned to the AHL at the conclusion of training camp. Montreal already had Jakub Dobe and Sam Montembeault in the fold, and there was no pressing need to accelerate a young goalie's development.
Then Montembeault went down with an injury, Fowler received his chance, and he began winning. Now he has earned the Heritage Classic start ahead of Dobe, and the narrative has shifted. Rather than speculating about when Fowler might be prepared for a larger NHL role, Canadiens supporters are asking how much responsibility he can shoulder at present. That is a favorable predicament for any team.
Key Analysis
It is tempting to glance at Fowler's record and declare that Montreal has unearthed its goaltender of the future. Perhaps it has. But six starts do not reveal everything about a position that can challenge even seasoned NHL veterans. There will be difficult nights. Opponents will scout him, his workload will fluctuate, and he will need to learn how to bounce back when pucks get past him. That is part of the maturation process for a young goalie.
The Canadiens do not need to resolve their long-term future today. They need to afford Fowler the opportunity to continue earning his spot while ensuring his development does not hinge on an extended winning streak. What Fowler has done is provide Montreal with another option—and potentially a crucial one. He has demonstrated that the moment is not too large for him, even on an outdoor stage with ample attention surrounding the game. For Canadiens fans, that is sufficient reason for excitement.
The wisest course for Montreal now is to resist the temptation to cast him as a savior or a sure thing. Let him play, let him learn, and observe how this unfolds. The original plan was to give Fowler more time. He may have different ideas.
Originally reported by yardbarker.