The Canadiens have officially moved on from their three-goalie setup.
On Friday morning, the team announced that goaltender Jacob Fowler and forward Owen Beck have been reassigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket, signaling a shift in strategy between the pipes - one that’s been coming for a while.
Fowler, 21, had been with the Canadiens since being called up just before Christmas. In that stretch, he put together a 4-4-2 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage - solid numbers for a young netminder adjusting to NHL speed.
But the recent trend hadn’t been in his favor. He allowed four goals on 26 shots in Thursday night’s 5-3 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo (with the fifth goal going into an empty net), and over his last two starts, his save percentage dipped to .857.
He dropped four of his last five decisions.
With Fowler heading back to Laval, the Canadiens return to a more traditional two-goalie rotation - a move that should bring more consistency for everyone involved. It’s a lesson the organization learned the hard way two seasons ago, when juggling Samuel Montembeault, Cayden Primeau, and Jake Allen led to more questions than answers. That logjam only cleared when Allen was dealt to New Jersey at the trade deadline.
Now, Montembeault and Jakub Dobes take center stage. Montembeault has shown signs of regaining form since returning from a brief conditioning stint with the Rocket, winning three of his last four starts. On the season, he holds an 8-6-2 record with a 3.35 GAA and an .874 save percentage - numbers that don’t jump off the page, but the recent uptick in performance is encouraging.
Dobes, meanwhile, has quietly put together a strong campaign in Laval. He’s 14-5-3 with a 3.01 GAA and an .888 save percentage - not elite, but steady enough to earn a longer look if needed.
As for Fowler, this move isn’t a demotion - it’s a development opportunity. He’ll get more starts and more minutes with Laval, which is exactly what he needs at this stage. The Canadiens are clearly invested in his future, and this is about giving him the reps to grow into a more complete goaltender.
Up front, Owen Beck also heads back to Laval. The 20-year-old forward had one goal in 15 games with the Canadiens.
In the AHL this season, he’s posted three goals and eight assists through 22 games. He’s shown flashes of the two-way game that made him a top prospect, but his offensive impact at the NHL level hasn’t materialized yet.
Back in Laval, he’ll have the chance to play bigger minutes and continue rounding out his game.
When asked previously about naming a No. 1 goalie, GM Kent Hughes made it clear: titles don’t matter - performance does.
“The goalie that will play the best will play the most,” Hughes said. “That’s what happened when [Montembeault] came here. He won the job.”
And that philosophy still holds. With Fowler out of the rotation, the Canadiens are betting on a leaner, more focused goaltending tandem - and giving their young talent the space to grow where it matters most.