Projected NHL arrival: Next season
How acquired: Selected with No. 69 pick in 2023 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Laval (AHL): 27 GP, 19-7-1, 2.23 GAA, .916 SVP, 3 SO; Canadiens: 17 GP, 9-6-2, 2.43 GAA, .908 SVP, 1 SO
Fowler made his NHL debut Dec. 11 and provided a needed midseason jolt, going 4-2-2 with a 2.37 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and one shutout in his first eight games. He was returned to the AHL on Jan. 16, but Montreal went 11-5-4 during his time on the roster.
The 21-year-old returned March 11 and was the backup to Jakub Dobes during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, replacing him in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Buffalo Sabres.
Dobes signed a three-year contract July 2, but Fowler will be expected to push him for playing time this season.
Projected NHL arrival: This season
How acquired: Selected with No. 26 pick in 2026 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Nizhny Novgorod (RUS): 13 GP, 2-1-3; Torpedo-Gorky NN (RUS-2): 15 GP, 1-4-5; Nizhny Novgorod Jr. (RUS-JR): 33 GP, 10-14-24
After playing at three different levels last season, the hope is Pugachyov can find a full-time role in the Kontinental Hockey League this season. The 18-year-old averaged 9:22 of ice time during his KHL stint last season.
Pugachyov (6-3, 198) plays a power forward style but does need to get stronger. He’ll have to do that in Russia since he has two seasons left on the three-year KHL contract he signed June 13, 2025.
Projected NHL arrival: 2028-29
How acquired: Selected with No. 34 pick in 2025 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Ufa (RUS): 59 GP, 16-26-42
Zharovsky (6-1, 163) gave Canadiens fans a sneak peek at his high-end skill set during development camp, and the 19-year-old stayed a bit longer after camp ended to train with Montreal forward Ivan Demidov.
He is expected to play one final season in Russia but count Demidov among those exited for what’s to come.
“I like him a lot,” Demidov said. “He’s a good guy. Working hard. He’s a little bigger than me, taller than me. He has a bright future if he’s going to work hard every day in the same way.”
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
