I am not sure I agree that a freshly drafted goaltending prospect should be anywhere near the top 25 – goalies are way too unpredictable. As the article mentions, this is likely affected by the ‘shiny new toy’ effect.
For reference, last years 25U25 #23 was also a goalie, Frederik Dichow, and he was released by the org this year. It seems especially harsh he is 6 places above Primeau – Primeau might be a long way off NHL level, but Fowler hasn’t even proven himself at NCAA yet.
Still, the EOTP panel had him pretty high, maybe because he is actually a stud, I can’t say I’ve watched him play. Maybe goalie prospect ratings are just inflated this year because the Habs are desperate for a high level goaltender.
tom277
That list of previous players to take the #23 spot is a rough one.
Raccoomph
I could see Montembault solidifying himself as one half of a 1A/1B tandem, but we really need one of these goalies to work out to fill out the other half.
Since goalies are voodoo, the quantity over quality is a decent approach for this.
3 Comments
Jacob Fowler becomes the highest ranked goalie prospect at #23.
#23 Fowler
#24 Dobeš
#29 Primeau
#40 Miller
#46 Volokhin
#49 Vrbetic
#51 Croteau
I am not sure I agree that a freshly drafted goaltending prospect should be anywhere near the top 25 – goalies are way too unpredictable. As the article mentions, this is likely affected by the ‘shiny new toy’ effect.
For reference, last years 25U25 #23 was also a goalie, Frederik Dichow, and he was released by the org this year. It seems especially harsh he is 6 places above Primeau – Primeau might be a long way off NHL level, but Fowler hasn’t even proven himself at NCAA yet.
Still, the EOTP panel had him pretty high, maybe because he is actually a stud, I can’t say I’ve watched him play. Maybe goalie prospect ratings are just inflated this year because the Habs are desperate for a high level goaltender.
That list of previous players to take the #23 spot is a rough one.
I could see Montembault solidifying himself as one half of a 1A/1B tandem, but we really need one of these goalies to work out to fill out the other half.
Since goalies are voodoo, the quantity over quality is a decent approach for this.