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Kent Hughes put on notice as claim emerges Fowler has played his last game in Laval
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Jacob Fowler gets the start Sunday in Tampa Bay, and it's generating a lot of buzz.
The Montreal Canadiens head into their matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a clear decision in goal. Fowler has been named the starter, Jakub Dobes is the other option, and Samuel Montembeault is being left out for this game.
In that context, a comment from Anthony Marcotte is circulating widely, and it is directed squarely at Kent Hughes. Saying that Fowler may have already played his last game with the Laval Rocket is more than just an opinion. It puts public pressure on the organization, especially coming right after the holiday break.
Jacob Fowler gets the start Sunday in Tampa Bay, and it's generating a lot of buzz.
"He's the number one for now. And he will most likely be for years to come.
My feeling? He's played his last game in the American Hockey League. The Canadiens are in the process of making room for him."
- Anthony Marcotte
My feeling? He's played his last game in the American Hockey League. The Canadiens are in the process of making room for him."
- Anthony Marcotte
The young goaltender is already posting numbers that have fans talking. He has five career NHL games, with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, along with one shutout.
In Laval, he has played 15 games, with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. At 21 years old, his entry-level contract also carries a cap hit of $923,333.
The situation becomes delicate, as Montembeault is still part of the salary picture, with a $3.15 million cap hit at age 29. This season, he has played 15 games, with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .857 save percentage.
On the ice, it is also a tight matchup in the standings heading into puck drop. The Canadiens sit at 20-12-5, while the Lightning are 21-13-3, with both teams clustered in the same area of the playoff race.
Naming Fowler the starter in this type of game creates expectations, both in the locker room and among the fan base. What comes next will be decided by actions, not words.