As the Montreal Canadiens embark on their upcoming two-game road trip, the team adds some call-ups from Laval. Following their loss to the Lightning on Tuesday night, the Canadiens recalled forward Owen Beck, defenceman Adam Engstrom, and most notably, goaltender Jacob Fowler. Centreman Jake Evans is dealing with a foot injury and is away from the team for a few days while tending to a personal matter. In his absence, Beck will be taking over the third-line centre duties. We could also see Engstrom slot into the lineup for Arber Xhekaj, who has struggled as of late. However, the real talking point of the town has been the recall of their top prospect, Fowler.
Montreal has seemingly hit a breaking point with Montembeault and Dobes, who have combined for a league-worst save percentage this season. But are the Montreal Canadiens recalling Fowler too soon, and is this a panic move from the Habs brass? Let’s analyze the teams’ call-ups and assess their impact in the short term and long term.
Montreal Canadiens Call Ups From Laval
Beck and Engstrom Call Ups
In his second year of pro hockey with the Rocket, Beck hasn’t found the same offensive success he did in his rookie campaign. However, the main intrigue of his game is his two-way ability. He has struggled during his stints with the Habs, with only a single assist in fifteen contests. However, with Evans out against Pittsburgh, Montreal needed a centreman. Beck likely isn’t ready for the NHL level on a full-time basis, but he’s the organization’s best option down the middle in the short term.
As for Engstrom, this will be his second stint with the Canadiens this season. He has been spectacular in the AHL this season and is more deserving of another opportunity in Montreal. In his first call-up, he was used sparingly and wasn’t given much of a chance to make an impact. However, with Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and Alex Carrier struggling down the stretch, there is no harm in giving Engstrom some added ice time. Unfortunately, he is likely just an insurance policy during the team’s two-game trip in case of injuries on the backend.
Canadiens Calling Up Jacob Fowler Was a Necessary Decision
Jacob Fowler is currently the most popular man in all of Quebec. The Canadiens made the surprise announcement of his recall after another poor performance from Dobes and Montembeault against Tampa Bay. While calling up Fowler may be a panic move by the Montreal brass, it’s a necessary one. We’re a third of the way through the 2035-26 season, and neither of the Canadiens goalies is giving the team a chance to win. Frankly, Fowler can’t perform any worse than what we’ve seen from Montembeault and Dobes.
It’s unlikely that Montreal would call him up if they didn’t plan to start him on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Notably, Canadiens legends Patrick Roy and Carey Price also got their first career starts against the Penguins. No pressure at all, right? In all seriousness, it’s unlikely that a few games in the NHL could do any permanent damage to the 21-year-old’s development. Best-case scenario, he takes the starters’ reins in Montreal and runs with it. Worst case, he gets a taste of NHL action and returns to be the starter in Laval. The latter would, at the very least, be a wake-up call to the Canadiens current netminders.
Future Outlook
Beck and Engstrom will likely be returned to Laval following the Canadiens return from their road trip. Even if Engstrom plays well, there isn’t room on the Canadiens blue line unless a move is made. This becomes even more true when you factor in the return of Kaiden Guhle. As for Beck, he is simply a placeholder while Evans is away from the team. If a winger were forced to miss a game, it likely would have been Sammy Blais recalled in his place.
In the goal, things become a bit less clear. If Fowler plays well, what happens to Dobes and Montembeault? Is Dobes sent to Laval, or could we see a trade on the horizon? On the other hand, if Fowler struggles and Dobes and Montembeault continue their poor play, a trade will almost certainly occur for help in goal. Otherwise, the season may as well be forfeited with their current form. The future of all three netminders in Montreal rests on the shoulders of Jacob Fowler as he gets set to make his NHL debut.
Main Photo: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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