The Canadiens may not have to wonder about Jacob Fowler for much longer. After a blistering start to the 2026-27 season, the 21-year-old has gone from promising young goalie to a real answer in net, and Montreal will soon have to decide how bold it wants to be when his next contract comes up next summer.
Through 12 appearances, Fowler has already put together a line that jumps off the page: a 9-1-2 record, a 2.13 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage, and two shutouts. Those numbers would stand out for any goalie, let alone one in his first full NHL season. They’ve also come at a time when the Canadiens needed him to take on a huge role, with Samuel Montembeault sidelined and Jakub Dobes off to a rough start.
Instead of looking like a young goalie overwhelmed by the moment, Fowler has settled in as Montreal’s steadiest presence. His calm approach, strong positioning, and knack for making the right save at the right time have given the Canadiens stability in a spot that looked shaky just weeks ago. That kind of early return is exactly why the conversation around his next deal is already heating up.
There are two obvious contract paths Montreal could study. One is the route Calgary took with Dustin Wolf, who signed a seven-year deal with a $7.5 million average annual value after his first full NHL season in 2024-25.
That kind of long-term commitment would let the Canadiens keep Fowler through much of his prime and avoid paying even more later if his value keeps climbing. The catch is that the cap keeps going up, which means a similar deal signed in 2027 could cost more than Wolf’s number.
The other model is Spencer Knight’s three-year, $17.5 million extension with Chicago in 2025, which carries an average annual value of about $5.83 million. That shorter-term approach would give Montreal more time before making a massive commitment, with a three-year deal around $6 million annually serving as a possible middle ground. But that also comes with a downside: if Fowler keeps trending toward elite status, the price tag only gets bigger.
That’s the gamble in front of the Canadiens. Pay for the upside now, or wait and risk paying a lot more for the finished product later.
If Fowler keeps playing anywhere near this level, Montreal’s answer should be clear. A legitimate starting goalie is hard enough to find. One who is 21 and already performing like one of the league’s best is the kind of player teams usually regret letting get away.
The Canadiens have already built around a young core that includes Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson. Fowler is starting to look like he belongs in that same conversation as a foundational piece.
There’s no denying the risk in handing out a major contract after limited NHL experience. Goaltenders can be volatile, and plenty of young ones have stumbled after getting paid. But waiting has its own danger, especially with the salary cap rising and top-end goaltending getting more expensive all the time.
An eight-year deal at around $7.5 million per season would be a serious investment, but it could also turn into a bargain if Fowler becomes the franchise goalie Montreal believes he can be. The Canadiens shouldn’t rush into anything based on 11 games, but if this level of play holds, making Fowler a priority next summer should be one of their biggest decisions.
In Other News...
Ivan Demidov Update Leaves Canadiens Fans With More Concern Than Clarity
Ivan Demidovs recovery has become one of the quieter storylines around the Canadiens, but it is drawing plenty of attention because of how little has been shared publicly. The winger remains on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury on Sept. 21, and the current expectation is that he will not be back before Nov. 14. Montreal has kept a tight lid on his rehab process, with limited access to his sessions, leaving fans to piece together what they can from the occasional update.
Recent reports offered only a small window into where things stand, noting that Demidov skated once between Monday and Wednesday and is still wearing a walking boot. That has done little to ease concern, especially with speculation still floating around about whether surgery could be part of the picture. For a player the Canadiens are surely eager to have back in the mix, the uncertainty has only made the wait feel longer. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Have Found A Pairing They Can Trust Most
Mike Matheson was back in the lineup against the Bruins after missing six games, and his return came with an immediate reminder of why the Canadiens value him so highly. Paired with Kaiden Guhle, he spent a heavy share of his shifts against Boston star David Pastrk, and the duo helped drive down his expected goal percentage in a game Montreal needed to keep under control.
Guhle and Matheson have only had limited time together this season, but the early results have been encouraging enough to stand out. For a Canadiens team still sorting out its defensive identity, having a pairing that can handle top-end matchups cleanly gives the coaching staff a look it can trust, especially when the oppositions best player is on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Send A Clear Message Before Tough Avalanche Test
After the 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins, the Canadiens chose rest over routine and canceled Fridays practice, a small but telling move with Colorado coming to the Bell Centre next. Montreal has earned the luxury of easing off the gas a bit, riding an impressive stretch in which it has won eight of its last 10 games without a regulation loss.
Colorado arrives with its own urgency after an overtime loss, and the matchup sets up as a useful test of where Montreal really stands. The Canadiens have been especially strong away from home, while the Avalanche have not been nearly as comfortable on the road, which only adds a little more intrigue to a game that already feels like an early measuring stick. [Read more 🡒]