Non-Rocket Habs Prospect tracker

[DON]

3 hours ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

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. 

yes the author thinks Paupanekis was a steal of the draft.

Roy seems fading off the radar.

1 hour ago, JoeLassister said:

Yeah. Seems like I had higher expectations for Bogdan

A small d-man who dosent skate all that well (I think is said) was a long shot to begin with.

4 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

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...

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.

[Commandant]

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.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, DON said:

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.

I think Hage, Fowler, Reinbacher, Paupanekis all have a shot at being a core player

 

Its exciting to watch

[DON]

37 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I think Hage, Fowler, Reinbacher, Paupanekis all have a shot at being a core player

 

Its exciting to watch

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.

[tomh009]

1 hour ago, DON said:

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.

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.

[Commandant]

1 minute ago, tomh009 said:

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.

 

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

[tomh009]

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.

[Commandant]

Scott wheeler released his top 10 goalie prospects on the athletic.

 

2 goalies made tier 1 of future star #1s... Askarov and Fowler.  

 

"Fowler has established himself as one of the top goalie prospects in the sport with his play over the last four seasons. That started when he was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team four seasons ago and its First All-Star Team three seasons ago after leading the league in both save percentage and goals-against average. It was stamped with a stellar freshman year at BC that saw him play virtually every minute behind the top-ranked team in the country (while the team in front of him helped, their strength was most pronounced at forward, and he stole some games and was deservedly named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year). And it has been cemented last year with a repeat performance as the MVP (for me) of another top-ranked Boston College team, his save percentage rising from .926 to .940. He also had some strong performances in the AHL in the spring, even if he wasn't able to hold the Laval net in the playoffs as a rookie. (I should note that I’ve seen him look just OK with Team USA both in Gothenburg at the World Juniors and Plymouth at the World Junior Summer Showcase, but he was also excellent at the World Jr. A Challenge and the body of work over the last four years is unimpeachable.)

He’s the kind of goalie who, if he can see a shot and move to it, is going to stop it.

He had some work to do on some other things (conditioning/fitness, less business on scrambles, losing his posts at times) pre-draft but he has worked hard at it and is by all accounts committed to staying in better shape (he's now listed between 210-220 pounds and there has been progress off the ice), and has so many clear tools, highlighted by great hands, an ability to take space away through square angles and sound positioning, high-end tracking/reads, excellent rebound control, legitimate power/movement and a knack for making huge pad saves and stopping high-danger chances. He rarely gets beat through the body or frozen. He doesn't show holes in the net and has the reflexes to get a piece of (or a hold of) pucks when he does. He 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)."

[DON]

 

“No Favors From Me” — Kozlov on Zharovsky’s Rise And NHL Potential

 

“We brought Zharovsky up for the playoffs because one of our under-21 players got injured,” Kozlov explained in an exclusive interview with RG. “Initially, I thought I’d just dress him, maybe give him one or two shifts.”

But what Kozlov saw in those early moments changed everything.

“When he stepped on the ice, I noticed he didn’t seem nervous. I liked that. I liked how he always had a clear plan when he had the puck. He either passed it directly to a teammate, took a shot, or made a move himself—he wasn’t just getting rid of it.”
Source: https://rg.org/news/hockey/no-favors-from-me-viktor-kozlov-discusses-zharovsky-rise-nhl-potential-canadiens

[Prime Minister Koivu]

4 minutes ago, DON said:

 

“No Favors From Me” — Kozlov on Zharovsky’s Rise And NHL Potential

 

“We brought Zharovsky up for the playoffs because one of our under-21 players got injured,” Kozlov explained in an exclusive interview with RG. “Initially, I thought I’d just dress him, maybe give him one or two shifts.”

But what Kozlov saw in those early moments changed everything.

“When he stepped on the ice, I noticed he didn’t seem nervous. I liked that. I liked how he always had a clear plan when he had the puck. He either passed it directly to a teammate, took a shot, or made a move himself—he wasn’t just getting rid of it.”
Source: https://rg.org/news/hockey/no-favors-from-me-viktor-kozlov-discusses-zharovsky-rise-nhl-potential-canadiens

Sounds like he might be a really smart player. HuGo have said many times how important high IQ is for them. 
 

Add in raw skill and I can see why Hughes drafted him. 
 

I hope the kid reaches his potential

[dlbalr]

16 hours ago, Commandant said:

Scott wheeler released his top 10 goalie prospects on the athletic.

 

2 goalies made tier 1 of future star #1s... Askarov and Fowler.  

 

"Fowler has established himself as one of the top goalie prospects in the sport with his play over the last four seasons. That started when he was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team four seasons ago and its First All-Star Team three seasons ago after leading the league in both save percentage and goals-against average. It was stamped with a stellar freshman year at BC that saw him play virtually every minute behind the top-ranked team in the country (while the team in front of him helped, their strength was most pronounced at forward, and he stole some games and was deservedly named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year). And it has been cemented last year with a repeat performance as the MVP (for me) of another top-ranked Boston College team, his save percentage rising from .926 to .940. He also had some strong performances in the AHL in the spring, even if he wasn't able to hold the Laval net in the playoffs as a rookie. (I should note that I’ve seen him look just OK with Team USA both in Gothenburg at the World Juniors and Plymouth at the World Junior Summer Showcase, but he was also excellent at the World Jr. A Challenge and the body of work over the last four years is unimpeachable.)

He’s the kind of goalie who, if he can see a shot and move to it, is going to stop it.

He had some work to do on some other things (conditioning/fitness, less business on scrambles, losing his posts at times) pre-draft but he has worked hard at it and is by all accounts committed to staying in better shape (he's now listed between 210-220 pounds and there has been progress off the ice), and has so many clear tools, highlighted by great hands, an ability to take space away through square angles and sound positioning, high-end tracking/reads, excellent rebound control, legitimate power/movement and a knack for making huge pad saves and stopping high-danger chances. He rarely gets beat through the body or frozen. He doesn't show holes in the net and has the reflexes to get a piece of (or a hold of) pucks when he does. He 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)."

 

I feel like he has used a lot of that blurb before, like the last time he did the rankings.

[dlbalr]

Bogdan Konyushkov has signed a one-year extension in the KHL.  That takes the option of bringing him over late in the season off the table.  He's getting a decent raise for 2026-27 too.  This season, he's set to make around $378K US, jumping to around $500K the following year.  Compared to entry-level maximums if he was to spend time in Laval and it makes sense why he's staying for another year.

[dlbalr]

The World Junior Summer Showcase starts today with a few Hab prospects taking part.

 

Canada: Michael Hage, Owen Protz

USA: LJ Mooney

Finland: Aatos Koivu

[Commandant]

 

[DON]

Habs Prospects

 

July 28 games

Finland U20 at USA U20 Blue 2:00 pm - World Junior Summer Showcase (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Aatos Koivu (#9) -

Sweden U20 at USA U20 White 5:30 pm - World Junior Summer Showcase (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

LJ Mooney (#18) -

July 27 games

Finland U20 2 USA U20 White 5 (Final) - World Junior Summer Showcase (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Aatos Koivu (#9) - no points

Sweden U20 5 USA U20 Blue 2 (Final) - World Junior Summer Showcase (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

LJ Mooney (#18) - one goal (1), one assist

July 21 game

Switzerland U20 1 Finland U20 3 (Final) - Friendly Game (Vierumäki, Finland)

Aatos Koivu - no points

 

 

[DON]

2025 World Junior Summer Showcase: 3 things learned on Day 3 | NHL.com

 

The coach said forwards Cullen Potter (Calgary Flames) and L.J. Mooney (Montreal Canadiens) and defenseman Tanner Henricks (Columbus Blue Jackets) each took a big step forward.

 

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2025/07/29/invite-au-camp-estival-decj-owen-protz-explique-sa-cle-du-succes

 

"It's really unreal! I'm representing Canada in hockey for the first time and [...] knowing that, representing my country in [an event] that I've loved watching since I was 4 years old, the feelings are incredible. This experience will be amazing," he told TSN.

Asked what enabled him to go to the camp, the defender offered a simple answer.

"It's about following the instructions of the coaches, the parents and all my friends telling me to continue to play my best hockey to live my dreams. It was fun to work hard to evolve at the highest level possible," he said. "There is no better experience than facing the best in the world on this stage."

 

 

https://www.rds.ca/hockey/michael-hage-se-signale-dans-un-match-intra-equipe-au-camp-estival-du-canada-1.20624575

 

Lining up for the Reds against the Whites squad, which includes Gavin McKenna, the Montreal Canadiens prospect scored a goal and an assist.

[BCHabnut]

My friend was watching world junior showcase today. Basically said koivu was the best player on the ice. 

[Commandant]

Koivu had 2 goals.  Hage had a goal. Said to be a real beauty too.  Things got truculent at the end and Koivu and Hage were trying to get at each other.

 

Earlier in the week Koivu had 2 goals and Hage 1g 1a in their last game 

[GHT120]

11 hours ago, Commandant said:

Koivu had 2 goals.  Hage had a goal. Said to be a real beauty too.  Things got truculent at the end and Koivu and Hage were trying to get at each other.

 

Earlier in the week Koivu had 2 goals and Hage 1g 1a in their last game 

Well then ... no need to trade for a 2C for anything beyond this season ... 😉
 

[tomh009]

4 hours ago, GHT120 said:

Well then ... no need to trade for a 2C for anything beyond this season ... 😉
 

Sarcasm aside ... there is some hope that we have a 2C in the system yet.

[DON]

1 hour ago, tomh009 said:

Sarcasm aside ... there is some hope that we have a 2C in the system yet.

Like a Galchenyuk, Kotkaniemi or Eller were?

[DON]

 

2025 World Junior Summer Showcase: Berglund, Koivu among standouts on Day 4

 

#9 Aatos Koivu, RW (Montreal Canadiens): At this point, I don’t know if there’s anything he can’t do. Koivu has done such a great job of exploiting open ice, and his power-play goal gave his team so much life. A second goal early in the third period the game to rest. He has been Finland’s best throughout the entire tournament and should remain a key piece of the team at the various other U-20 tournaments this year. I’m still not convinced that he’s going to be an NHL player, but I have absolutely loved him in Minnesota

 

"It's on the ice": Michael Hage and Aatos Koivu have a falling out | JDM

 

"At development camp, we were roommates and we were really good friends," the Finn said after the game. It was nothing personal with him. We're good friends and we told each other before the game to have fun."

 

2025 World Junior Summer Showcase: 3 things learned on Day 4 | NHL.com

 

 

[Commandant]

1 hour ago, DON said:

Like a Galchenyuk, Kotkaniemi or Eller were?

 

Like Plekanec was seen as max a fourth liner and became more. 

 

thats as relevant a comparison as any of those three.... which is to say none of the 4 is relevant to Hage. 

[DON]

1 hour ago, Commandant said:

 

Like Plekanec was seen as max a fourth liner and became more. 

 

thats as relevant a comparison as any of those three.... which is to say none of the 4 is relevant to Hage. 

You mean every person or player is different?

Thanks for that tidbit.

[Commandant]

2 hours ago, DON said:

You mean every person or player is different?

Thanks for that tidbit.

 

Hey, you are the one bringing up the other three as a comparison to a current prospect, not me.