Jacob Fowler Named Rookie Of The Month

According to moneypuck.com, the 21-year-old netminder is tied for the best goals saved above expected in the NHL with Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger. They both have 9.8 goals saved above expected, but Fowler has the better goals saved above expected per 60 at 1.202 vs. Oettinger’s 0.885 goals saved above expected per 60. As a result, Fowler has not only built himself an early case to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie but also in contention to be among Vezina Trophy candidates as the NHL’s best goaltender if he can maintain his high level of play. 

It should be noted that Fowler didn’t even make the Canadiens out of camp but was called up one week into the season as veteran goaltender Samuel Montembeault sustained a lower-body injury during practice on October 7th. In his two appearances with the Laval Rocket this season, Fowler posted a .945 save percentage and 1.53 GAA with a 1-1 record. With that being said, Fowler has gone from starting the season in the AHL to being the best rookie in the NHL within a month.

While Fowler has been among the best goaltenders in the NHL throughout the first month of the 2026-27 campaign, the same cannot be said for the Canadiens’ other goaltender, Jakub Dobes. In six games, Dobes has a .853 save percentage and a 4.01 GAA, which both rank 49th of the 52 goaltenders who have played at least five games this season. Thanks to Fowler’s great play and Dobes’ struggles, the Canadiens have opted to start the rookie goalie in eight of their 11 games.