Samuel Montembeault’s injury: Jacob Fowler cannot be recalled

Does it worry you to think that the guy the CH only played in back-to-back games might have to become the club’s playoff savior?

If he does play, he’ll have to turn into Jaroslav Halak to help his club, anyway.

But there’s more to it than that. After all, if Monty can’t be dressed, the club can’t just rely on Patrick Chèvrefils to be his assistant, we agree.

So we’d have to call someone back.

What you need to know is that the only two recall options are Cayden Primeau and Connor Hughes. They’re the only two players with valid contracts with the CH this year.

Jacob Fowler’s entry-level contract begins on July 1, 2025. He can play in Laval this season under a different contract.

We agree that if there is a recall, it will be Primeau. He’s got NHL experience and, unlike Connor Hughes, he’s not currently injured. He’s the logical choice under the circumstances… if circumstances exist.

I’d be really, really surprised if it didn’t, in any case.

On the other hand, you have to wonder what effect it would have on the Laval Rocket. After all, if Cayden Primeau, the #1 goaltender down there, were ever to be removed from the lineup, it would be a major blow to Pascal Vincent.

With the Rocket just days away from starting their first-round series, not having Dobes, Primeau or Hughes (if he’s still injured at the time) would leave only one goalie: Jacob Fowler.

Would he have the default net with a guy recalled from Trois-Rivières to back him up? That’s a possible scenario right now.

It would be quite an experience for him (as it was for Carey Price in 2007, once his junior training period was over) and it would be intense for the Rocket. But right now, the priority is the Habs.

That’s the role of the training club.

If Samuel Montembeault can’t play, instead of Monty at the top and Primeau at the bottom, Dobes and Fowler would be the men to trust. Field hockey can change quickly…

overtime

Yesterday, after the game, Dobes showed his class by saying he hoped Monty AND Logan Thompson, who was injured (badly?) for the Capitals in the CH win, would be back healthy.

But if they can’t play, it’ll be Dobes against Charlie Lindgren. Who’d have predicted that one day, this guy would be playing in the playoffs at the Bell Centre?