Habs Daily: Fowler’s Excellence, 4 Nations Rosters, Laine Boost

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Wednesday.

Montreal Canadiens

Top prospect Jacob Fowler was named the Hockey East Goaltender Of The Month, after yet another successful stretch of games in the NCAA for Boston College. The 20-year-old netminder has appeared in 12 games for the Eagles this season, leading to a 9-2 record, a 1.67 save percentage, and a sparkling .936 save percentage. Thanks to his excellent play, Boston College is currently ranked third in the collegiate hockey rankings.

Seeing as he’s playing lights out hockey, there will inevitably be a discussion whether he should stay in the NCAA for an additional year, or start his professional career early. It’s worth remembering Cayden Primeau also had an excellent two-season run in the NCAA before the Habs convinced him to leave Northeastern early. The rest, as they say, is history. Of course, they’re not the same player, but it’s important to remember trying to hasten a goaltender’s development rarely works out. The more experience they gain in the NCAA or elsewhere, the better. [Canadiens Goalie Primeau Perfect Example Of Poor Development]

Congrats to Jacob Fowler on being named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month.

In 8 games in November, he went:

– 6-1-0 🔥
– 1.76 GAA 🔥
– .936 sv % 🔥
– 2 shutouts 🙅‍♂️
– 1 game misconduct & suspension for punching a MF 🥊

He is HIM 😤 pic.twitter.com/47mY00pewY

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 4, 2024

Team Finland will have a certain Montreal Canadiens flair to their lineup, as both Patrik Laine and Joel Armia are set to represent their country at the 4 Nations Faceoff in mid-February. Unfortunately, despite being the country’s best goalscorer, Cole Caufield was not invited to play for Team USA. Neither was Tage Thompson. Say what you will about putting together lineups for a short tournament, but leaving two of your best players behind is clearly an unforced error. [Canadiens Goalie Primeau Perfect Example Of Poor Development]

As we discussed on Tuesday, Samuel Montembeault will take part in the 4 Nations Festivities, joining Adin Hill and Jordan Binnington in Canada’s crease. His aforementioned counterparts are likely to receive the bulk of the starts, but if Montembeault does end up playing, he’ll have an opportunity to take the reins with a strong performance. Nick Suzuki was not named to the team, and while you could make an argument he could easily fit into any role, a short break for one of the busiest players in the NHL is never a bad thing. Unlike most of his teammates, Suzuki has not missed a single game since entering the league, and what’s more, he’s always representing the Habs at the All-Star weekend, robbing him of a rare opportunity to rest every season.

Presenting Canada’s #4Nations Face-Off roster! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/zXeAOg4nsG

— NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024

Not only did Laine score a goal in his first game with the Canadiens, his mere presence seems to have reinvigorated the team at practice on Wednesday. Most players were all smiles, and the energy level was as high as it’s been all season. More on that shortly.

#Habs Cole Caufield on Patrik Laine: “he’s inspiring all of us in the room, it’s fun to see and we’re very lucky to have him.”

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024

Before we get to the Habs players having fun, I’d like to address a comment I received this morning suggesting Laine isn’t excited to be playing in Montreal due to his “negative body language”, and I have to say, with all due respect, that’s pure nonsense (and I don’t respect it). Attempting to read body language in a bid to understand someone’s thoughts is on par with phrenology when it comes to accuracy and medical relevance. Laine is presenting a humble front, which is quite understandable when we consider all he’s been through, and how hard he worked to get back into the NHL.

It’s also why Laine has been living in the moment, as he knows there are no guarantees in hockey, let alone in life.

Anyhow, here’s Kaiden Guhle and Brendan Gallagher going all out after scoring at practice

Get yourself someone who celebrates you as hard as #Habs Kaiden Guhle does a Brendan Gallagher goal in practice 😂⤵ pic.twitter.com/xlg0KxGoah

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett were named to Team Canada for the upcoming 4 Nations tournament. [Florida Panthers]

Team USA revealed New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes has been named to the roster. However, star defenceman, Dougie Hamilton, was snubbed from Team Canada. [New Jersey Devils]

The Detroit Red Wings’ penalty killing has been atrocious this season to the point that the team is challenging a record for inefficiency that has stood for 44 years. [Detroit Red Wings]