Fowler at the top of tier 2, Wheeler ranks him 3rd. Walstedt and Askarov ahead of him:
Fowler has established himself as one of the top goalie prospects in the sport with his play over the last three seasons. That started when he was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie Second Team two years ago and its First All-Star Team last year after leading the league in both save percentage and goals-against average. It has been stamped this year with a stellar freshman year at BC that has seen him play virtually every minute behind arguably the best team in the country (and while the team in front of him helps, their strength is most pronounced at forward and he has stolen some games). (I should note that I’ve seen him look just OK with Team USA both in Gothenburg at the world juniors and Plymouth at the World Junior Summer Showcase, but he was also excellent at the World Jr. A Challenge.)
He’s the kind of goalie who if he can see a shot and move to it, he’s going to stop it.
He’s got work to do on some other things (conditioning/fitness, less business on scrambles, losing his posts at times) but he worked hard to cut some weight last summer, seems committed to staying in better shape, and has so many clear tools, highlighted by good hands, an ability to take space away through square angles and sound positioning, great tracking/reads, legitimate power/movement and a knack for making huge pad saves/stopping high-danger chances. He’s got a legitimate shot not just to be an NHL goaltender but to be a very good one, and there aren’t many goalies his age (or even a little older) I’m comfortable saying that about.
by mikegimik
5 Comments
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I find it crazy that Fowler is ranked above Levi, Knight and Wolf. I know nothing about goalies though. Looks like we got ourselves a good one.
Ready for when Montembeault is passed his prime
He lists our guy high – I say good list!
This is the kind of list that clearly shows my issue with his rankings haha.
Yes Fowler is great but Dobes, Primeau, or Levi are examples that college prowess is not immediately translated in NHL/AHL prowess. And these three still have NHL upside and are among the few drafted goalies to have deserved NHL contracts.
It is interesting to see his ranking of goalies drafted the same year, but I’m really not a fan of giving such high rankings for players still 2/3 years at a minimum from the NHL. Fowler’s great but he’s definitely not the McDavid of goalies for me.
It is great to see that he sees him so highly however.