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Coincidentally, Scott Wheeler posted his top-20 goalie prospects ranking today on The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6469707/2025/07/15/nhl-goalie-prospects-rankings-summer-2025/ Askarov and Fowler ranked #1 and #2, the only two goalie prospects in the top tier: "(Fowler) has a legitimate shot not just to be an NHL goaltender but to be a top one, and there aren’t many goalies his age (or even a little older) I’m comfortable saying that about. He seems to pitch a shutout once or twice a month these days and I thought he had a compelling case for the Hobey Baker last year and was hurt by some of the conference allotments/politics of the nomination process (which was evident when he wasn't a top-10 finalist and still won the Mike Richter Award as college hockey's top goalie)." Dobes also made the list at #19: "After a respectable first pro season in the AHL two years, he was a great story in his introduction to the NHL last year and now looks like he's going to have a good career as a No. 2/3 goalie (in a best-case scenario he probably has a couple years as more of a 1B, too)." Add to that Montembeault, who has been a top-ten goalie for the past few seasons, and the crease once again looks to be one of the Habs' strengths.

A great year, especially the 2nd and 3rd rounders. A guy who scored 421 NHL goals and a Hall of Fame goalie. Tough to beat.

A good year.

Goalies are voodoo, but Fowler is a top 5 goalie prospect in the entire league. and he's not 4 or 5.

I wouldn't judge Fowler on a handful of playoff games when he is fresh out of the NCAA. Let's wait at least another year (or two) before we pronounce him a bust (or the second coming of Price). Still a strong prospect, but third tier is about right for him.

Another depth defender has signed as Laval signed Charles Martin to a two-way deal. He should be a decent offensive blueliner for Trois-Rivieres. https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/press-release/charles-martin-contract-2025-2026/

Hage & Reinbacher seem safe bets. A goalie who had good and not so good AHL playoff games (3-3 2.48 0.902%) and the other guy, who knows, both seem long shots to me. Is anyone a good goalie scout? I remember Button going on and on about how good Fucale was.

I think Hage, Fowler, Reinbacher, Paupanekis all have a shot at being a core player Its exciting to watch

Primeau, 7th round pick. Stats in his last year in college. 2.09 GAA, 933 sv% Fowler, 2nd round pick. Stats his second year of college 1.63 GAA, 940 sv% Their resumes are not the same.

yes the author thinks Paupanekis was a steal of the draft. Roy seems fading off the radar. A small d-man who dosent skate all that well (I think is said) was a long shot to begin with. That is #1 line or 1st pair-d. Who are you thinking of? Reinbacher is only one that seems reasonable expectation. Fowler has same resume of Primeau, so who the hell knows is even is a capable starter at NHL level. Hage may be top six centre in couple/few years, but unlikely to be bumping Suzuki off the 1st line. The russian is a long long way from 1st line winger.

Yeah. Seems like I had higher expectations for Bogdan

the pyramid is interesting but i don't agree with a bunch. Reinbacher and Fowler both belong up a level. And now they didn't draft a guy at 5h overall with the expectation he would be second pair. Beck should be same tier as Kapanen. Rohrer should be up a tier. Bogdan should be up a tier. Mittelstadt and Bergqvist should be up a tier, that bottom tier is throwaways and they are more than that. Kidney should be down a tier. Miller should be down a tier. Paupenakis, Radkov, should be down a tier. few others i'd move to.

Paupanekis (who scored 22 goals in junior) ahead of Beck (memorial cup MVP), Roy and Xhekaj and on the same level as Kapanen? Somebody must really like his potential. Hope they are right.

No one ever thought he would be a Dobson or Shae Weber, a #2/#3 is what he always was projected as. If need a goal in last minute of game, he wouldnt be the one Marty puts on the ice. If defending a 1 goal lead , then he would be. Vast majority of group wont ever meet fan expectations or hopes, safe to say.

From the article: "As for Reinbacher, a major knee injury unfortunately hindered his development this season. From the get-go, the likely outcome for Reinbacher was a second-pair role, but there was room for more. Unless he makes up for a tonne of lost ground — his draft-plus-one season wasn’t a bright spot, either — he projects as more of a number 3 defenceman than a potential top-pair one, especially with Noah Dobson now in the mix." The available roles on the Habs should have nothing to do with the prospect evaluations. If Reinbacher turns out to be a top-pairing defenceman, that's what he is, even if he were to play second pair on the Habs. Same goes for any other prospect, they should be ranked on their strengths and weaknesses, not on the available spots on the Habs' roster. Tom

I don’t know if I completely agree but I really like the format. Guys like F Xhekaj and Tuch jumping their levels would be a huge bonus. Second tier is empty but I don’t think it will remain that way - I think there are 4 or 5 players with a shot to make it there tiers 3 and 4 could produce a star

Interesting way to look at pool. The 2025 Montreal Canadiens Prospect Pyramid

The 3rd and 4th lines were nothing to write home about either.

Yeah. Mind you, that was after a bunch of injuries. But Armia-Dvorak-Drouin on the second line, oof.

This tweet really put our current team in perspective. Only two seasons ago this was our lineup - WOW

Quite a grouping of XXXL teenager d-men at start of 2nd round. All small compared to that 7-footer than just joined the OHL i suppose.

Same article. Go Marty! https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/07/canadiens-still-have-work-to-do-this-summer.html

I agree with this. If we get a 2C then Matheson can go. Otherwise Im holding him.

A surprisingly realistic list.

Good post. The thing is, with MM we probably have one of the league’s better (maybe one of its best) defence corps. Subtract him, and suddenly that advantage goes away for just the reason you state. So, yeah. Trade him for that C if the unicorn appears. Other than that, well, lean into our competitive advantage at D.