Mooney’s Spark, Zharovsky’s Mystery, and Fowler’s Fight for the Net
So, let’s talk about three very different but equally intriguing prospects from the Montreal Canadiens’ system — we’re at positions 9 through 7 in the Habs’ annual top-15 countdown. These are players that fans are starting to watch a little more closely, each bringing something unique to the table… but with a fair amount of questions still hanging in the air.
First up, at number 9, we’ve got L.J. Mooney , an 18-year-old winger taken 113th overall in 2025. Now, I’ll be honest — Mooney flew under the radar for a lot of people, even the analysts. He wasn’t exactly a standout during early scouting due to a knee injury, and many focused more on his teammate Jack Murtagh. But once people went back and looked at his play, especially at the Under-18s where he tied for the lead in points for Team USA, it became pretty clear — this kid has first-round talent. He’s fast, he’s got serious puck-handling skills, and he’s got that spark — that fiery, competitive edge you just can’t teach. Sure, he’s on the smaller side, but if we’ve learned anything from guys like Martin St-Louis or Brad Marchand, it’s that size isn’t everything when you’ve got the wheels, grit, and smarts to go with it. Mooney might just be the Habs’ next great underdog story if his development stays on track.
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Then at number 8, there’s Alexander Zharovsky , the Russian winger taken 34th overall in the same draft. This one’s more complicated. There’s no denying his hands and hockey sense — he’s got slick moves and vision, the kind that got Habs scouts excited enough to say he might’ve gone in the top 20 had they kept an earlier pick. But his skating? That’s where the red flag comes in. He’s not exactly explosive, and in today’s NHL, that can be a dealbreaker. The hope is that some serious work on his stride can boost his overall game. If not, his ceiling might be limited. There’s also a bit of second-guessing here — some argue that Jack Murtagh would’ve been a better fit at 34. Still, Zharovsky remains a highly intriguing project, one the Habs seem to believe in deeply. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out in the KHL, and whether he eventually makes the jump to North America.
And finally, at number 7, we’ve got Jacob Fowler , a 20-year-old goaltender who’s already proven himself at Boston College and got his first real taste of pro hockey in Laval. He’s solid — technically sound, mentally sharp, and has that calm presence you want in a netminder. But as good as he’s looked, the reality is that goalie development is a long road, and the Canadiens have loaded up on goalie prospects in recent years. Fowler’s the most polished for now, but he’s not a sure thing — especially with talented Europeans like Volokhin and Radkov also in the pipeline. His post-season performance in Laval was decent but didn’t exactly scream “future number one.” Still, his potential is legit, and right now, he holds the highest trade value among the team’s young goalies.
In the end, all three of these players — Mooney, Zharovsky, and Fowler — carry high potential, but the journey ahead won’t be easy for any of them. Mooney could become the next small-but-mighty Habs fan favorite. Zharovsky might either shine or stall depending on how well his skating improves. And Fowler? He could be the answer in net… or just one of many in a long goalie carousel. Time will tell.
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