“It can’t be overstated just how much more complicated a decision it is for a goaltender to turn pro than a positional player of the same caliber,” said Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson on X. And we are seeing that complexity play out in front of our eyes as Jacob Fowler’s teammate signed an entry-level contract and debuted for the Washington Capitals in just a couple of days.

If you find that difficult to believe, you’re not alone. Even Boston Eagles forward Ryan Leonard couldn’t believe it. “It’s just crazy that this is actually happening,” the forward said about joining the Capitals. Meanwhile, Robinson posted that Lenard’s teammate and the Eagles goaltender “is leaning towards returning to Boston College for a junior season.” So why the delay for Fowler?

After all, Jacob Fowler also emerged as a top prospect, winning the 2024-25 Hockey East Goaltender of the Year award. He even made 24 saves in the ill-fated match that saw the Eagles’ forward line unable to break through Denver’s defense. Instead, Robinson believes the goaltender could be heading for the AHL thanks to thee complexities of the goaltender position.” 

“In contrast to my previous statement made yesterday, it now seems highly likely that Jacob Fowler will sign an ATO and join Laval upon return from their road trip,” reported the Content Director at Elite Prospects. The Laval Rockets are affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. And although the netminder has already done camps with the team, he’s not getting an ELC with the team just yet.

And it’s not like conceding 3 goals against Denver in Boston’s final game in the NCAA knockout stages diminished Jacob Fowler’s number this season. The 20-year-old phenom posted a 25-7-2 record this season with a massive .940 save percentage. So it begs the question: What are these complexities that kept Fowler from following his teammate’s footsteps?

Jacob Fowler’s unfortunate situation

The Washington Capitals acted immediately to stop BC Eagles forward Ryan Leonard from continuing in the NCAA. Meanwhile, the very nature of Fowler’s position prevented the same. Last year, ESPN dug deep into why the goaltending position has become so difficult in the NHL. Everyone from GMs to ‘front office executives’ pointed to similar reasons.

“We have comps for top centers. Comps for top-four defensemen. Comps for goaltenders are way more complicated,” said one such individual, as per ESPN. Far more reliable sources, like Carolina GM Eric Tulsky, didn’t paint a brighter picture. “A lot of what makes goaltending hard is that a guy who stops 92% of shots… A guy who stops 91% is kind of average,” said Tulsky.

Teams also hold off on offering cracks to goaltenders because a netminder like Jacob Fowler will need to prove he can save 92% of the shots time and again. So even a 1% margin makes a difference in the demand a goalie generates. Next comes the mental pressure. Besides being the most isolated role on the ice, fans don’t hesitate to criticize even the most consistent goalies.

Take the Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, who has been on the receiving end due to a recent downturn in form. ESPN also noted goaltenders consistently earn less than many other positions. Eight goaltenders currently earn $7 million, while 107 skaters in other positions earn more, as per the news outlet. So Jacob Fowler has to navigate this maze before reaching the NHL.