The biggest problem with Fowler is that he's not 5 years older. Really exciting to have a top goalie prospect in the system, but goalies take forever.
I think this organization and fanbase wants to be competitive before it could reasonably be expected Fowler would be a bonafide NHL starter.
He's 19, we're probably talking like 5 years before he's the guy, right? If all goes well of course.
2 starters who started their careers in NCAA: Helleybuck and Oettinger.
Helleybuck spent 2 years in NCAA & one and a half seasons in AHL.
Oettinger spent 3 years in NCAA and one year in AHL.
This is Fowler's 2nd season in NCAA. He'll be signed at the end of this season. Maybe he gets an NHL game at the end of this season, but he likely spends next year in the AHL.
College players take about 3-4 years.
We'll see what happens between Primeau, Dobes & Hughes next season. Montembeault stays with one of them as backup & Fowler in Laval.
The year after that (2026-2027), is Montembeault's final contract year. Fowler probably tandems.
I expect summer of 2027 is when Fowler takes over for good.