Trade with the Avs: the Habs turn a 3rd rd pick into a 2nd rd pick

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MarcO
April 20, 2024 (1:35)

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Cayden Primeau and Samuel Montembeault have put in solid work this season for Martin St-Louis and Kent Hughes, but another name could be added.

Kent Hughes has stated that the Canadiens were lucky to draft goalie Jacob Fowler at the 69th spot. He could also become a great goalie for the Canadiens, sooner rather than later.

Moreover, the GM shared something interesting about Fowler.

The Canadiens would have drafted Jacob Fowler with the 2nd round pick traded for Alex Newhook

According to the GM, the organization indeed wanted to select him in the second round, but they no longer had a pick in that round after the transaction made the day before to acquire Alex Newhook.

"We targeted him with our 37th pick, so we were extremely happy to see he was still available when we took him at 69th!" - Kent Hughes

Recap of the trade

Many consider Fowler to be one of the best prospects at his position. It's even said that he's the best goalie to have played in American college and could be the next Dominik Hasek.

So, essentially, the Canadiens traded a 2023 1st round pick and the 37th overall pick of 2023 for Alex Newhook, but with the 37th pick, they wanted to draft Jacob Fowler (before trading the pick).

Eventually, they still managed to draft Fowler, but with the 69th overall pick of 2023! So, their 69th pick essentially became their 37th pick.

WOW!

We can thus say that the Canadiens and their fans have been very lucky. Especially considering Fowler wasn't even seen as the best American goalie in the draft. He was selected after the one who held that title, Trey Augustine (41st overall).

Only one goalie, during this draft, was selected before the 37th pick that Kent Hughes was aiming for. It was Adam Gajan, who was drafted 35th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.

We don't know what the future holds for Fowler, but we have every right to be very enthusiastic. It will be interesting to see if he will continue his learning in the NCAA next season or if he will make the jump, after only one college season, to the professional ranks with the Laval Rocket.