Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Even though head coach Martin St-Louis pretended rookie Jacob Fowler wouldn’t necessarily play during his call-up, he turned to the 21-year-old to face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, making Fowler the first Florida-born goaltender to start a game in the NHL.
Jacob Fowler will make his NHL debut with the @CanadiensMTL tonight and in the process will become the League's first-ever Florida-born goaltender.#NHLStats: https://t.co/QfC9DjfzOZ pic.twitter.com/f2gHIJrcn0
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 11, 2025
Fowler wasn’t perfect, but he was exactly what the struggling Canadiens needed. He made the saves you’d expect from an NHL goaltender, stopping 36 of the 38 shots sent his way.
As advertised, his positioning was top-notch, and his anticipation removed a lot of the usual stress involved in watching the Canadiens play. Thanks to Fowler, the Habs beat the Penguins 4-2, though it must be said that the young netminder did get a little help from phenom Lane Hutson in the dying minutes of the third period.
Habs coach Marty St. Louis today when asked if calling up Jacob Fowler is a “move out of desperation:”
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 10, 2025
“I don’t think we’ll ever do anything in desperation. Somebody who’s desperate, it’s because he’s not calculated and he doesn’t have a plan.” pic.twitter.com/ki5U4wZcHa
There’s a chance that top prospect Alexander Zharovsky may end up in Montreal earlier than anticipated. Salavat’s CEO mentioned they won’t hold Zharovsky back if he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL. As it stands, Zharovsky is currently signed to a contract which expires in 2027. [Canadiens Prospect Zharovsky May Arrive Earlier Than Expected]
Full marks to Patrik Laine, who supported prospect David Reinbacher as he dealt with yet another frustrating injury. [TVA Sports – FR]
OH 🥹🥹 https://t.co/EZbeQ9ZECB pic.twitter.com/lXRDRvQRFN
— ℳ.ℳ (HR spoilers) (@MM_lartin) December 11, 2025
Former Canadiens general manager and former head coach Michel Therrien will be in charge of Team Canada at this year’s edition of the Spengler Cup. [Hockey Canada]
Sportsnaut Network
The New Jersey Devils have been keeping tabs on Quinn Hughes‘ future for a while now. When it was revealed last weekend that the Devils and Canucks touched base about Quinn following Vancouver’s notice to the league they’re open for business on some of their veteran pending free agents, the assumption by most was that it was the first call placed between general managers Tom Fitzgerald and Patrik Allvin. However, the Devils and Canucks have had discussions dating back to last summer. [New Jersey Devils]
Don’t forget to check out how the Penguins reacted to the 4-2 loss to the Habs on Thursday night. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
The Devils will continue to battle adversity, this time, without their leading goalscorer. On Thursday, the Devils announced Timo Meier is taking a personal leave to attend to a family health matter. [New Jersey Devils]
