Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Last night, the team of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler was eliminated from the NCAA.

Just like Lane Hutson did last year, he could technically come and finish the season with the Habs and sign immediately, but three real options are on the table in this situation.

As reported by the excellent Anthony Marcotte, Fowler can either:

1- Sign an entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens immediately, burn a year of his contract, try to help the team a bit in the playoff race, but he would become ineligible to play with the Laval Rocket.

2- Sign an entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens, but have it start in 2025-2026, and agree to a professional tryout with the Laval Rocket to finish the season there alongside Cayden Primeau.

3- Wait and return to the NCAA to play another season with Boston College.

A decision awaits Jacob Fowler

It will be very interesting to see which option Fowler chooses here, but also what general manager Kent Hughes decides.

With the recent struggles of Jakub Dobes, it could be interesting to bring Fowler to Montreal immediately as the third goalie, but for that, the Habs’ management needs to ensure he’s ready.

Sending him to the Laval Rocket is also an intriguing option, but with Cayden Primeau’s strong play, we imagine he wouldn’t get much playing time..

An NCAA career that proves Kent Hughes made the right choice

In any case, this is a situation we’re closely monitoring for you today and tomorrow (yes, it’s likely to be decided quite quickly)!

Jacob Fowler, 20 years old, has a record of 25-7-2 this season, with a goals-against average of 1.63 and a save percentage of .940 in the NCAA.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound goaltender doesn’t have much left to prove at the collegiate level, if you ask me.