NHL.com’s latest top prospects list gives the Canadiens another reminder of how much young talent is sitting in the pipeline.
Montreal landed three players in the Top 26, with forward Michael Hage checking in at No. 8, defenseman David Reinbacher at No. 20 and goaltender Jacob Fowler at No. 24. Hage and Reinbacher were not on last season’s list, while Fowler held the same 24th position a year ago.
Hage’s ranking is tied to a big season in the NCAA, where he put up 52 points in 39 games, and to his role in Canada’s bronze-medal run at the World Junior Championship, where he scored 15 points in seven games and led all players in tournament scoring. NHL.com also pointed to the idea that he could eventually fill the Canadiens’ long search for a second-line center. The buzz around the 21st overall pick in the 2024 draft has only grown in Montreal, and his showing at development camp did nothing to cool that off.
Even with that excitement, Hage chose to return to Michigan for his junior year, which disappointed plenty of fans. Still, that extra season should help him handle the jump from the NCAA to the pro game, likely later this season after the NCAA schedule and the Frozen Four Tournament wrap up.
The Canadiens will probably ease him in rather than toss him straight into a major role, much like they started Lane Hutson on the second power play in his first season instead of asking him to run the top unit right away. Demidov also wasn’t placed on the second line immediately when he debuted at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Montreal will hope Hage adapts quickly and is ready to move into a top-six role before long.
Reinbacher’s spot at No. 20 comes with a clear projection from NHL.com, which described him as “a reliable second-pair defenseman who can kill penalties, retrieve pucks and make efficient outlet passes. His best fit would be alongside an aggressive, puck-moving, left-shot partner.”
That description lines up neatly with what the Canadiens seem to have in mind, and the fit with Lane Hutson is obvious. But the 2023 fifth overall pick has also had his progress slowed by injuries, and the big question now is whether he can finally get through a full healthy season and show exactly what he can become.
There’s also a path for Reinbacher to make a real push at camp. If Guhle can’t start the season, Reinbacher should get a longer look and could even crack the opening night roster.
Fowler, meanwhile, is described by NHL.com as “one of hockey's premier young goaltenders,” with praise for his composure and positioning and for the way his track record at every level points to above-average starting potential. He’ll try to earn a roster spot out of camp, but Samuel Montembeault’s presence makes that a tough road.
Because Fowler doesn’t need waivers to be sent to Laval, the simplest move would be to assign him to the Rocket. But his play last season suggests he may already be ready for NHL action, and at 21 years old, turning 22 in November, he needs meaningful ice time. Sending him down might not be ideal from a motivation standpoint, though it’s still difficult to picture him beating out Montembeault in camp and forcing the Canadiens to risk losing their former starter on waivers.
Kent Hughes has shown he’d rather avoid losing players for nothing. When Cayden Primeau could no longer be sent down without waivers, Hughes kept three goalies on the roster instead of taking the risk. Montembeault’s disastrous last season still gives him more value than Primeau ever had, and it would be a major surprise if Hughes gambled on him clearing waivers.
Even if Fowler begins the season in Laval, his opportunity could come quickly if Montembeault struggles again. The Canadiens are unlikely to wait until December to address the situation if the crease turns into a problem.
For now, fans may have to wait until the end of the season to get their first look at Hage, but Reinbacher should be around, and Fowler could be too if Montembeault can’t rediscover his form.
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