Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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This week is Part 2 of my dive into the world of goaltending prospects—those young netminders who are on the verge of making waves in the NHL, maybe even as early as this season depending on team situations. These guys have already shown potential, and we could see them getting some playing time sooner rather than later.

Adam Gajan – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks definitely raised a few eyebrows snagging Adam Gajan at 35th overall in the 2023 Draft. The big question last year was if he'd rise to the challenge of that early second-round pick—and he is out to prove that he's worth it.

As the Green Bay Gamblers' starter, Gajan posted a solid 23-12-4 record with a 2.80 GAA and a .908 SV%. Not elite, but he's got plenty to build on. His World Juniors performance last year was promising, showing he could steal games and deliver when it mattered most.  This year in the NCAA with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Gajan's game is set to benefit from a more structured system and defensive support, giving him the runway he needs to polish up his raw talent. He's got all the makings of an NHL-caliber goalie, and if he stays on his current track, he could be eyeing a real shot at starting role in the not-so-distant future with a rebuilding club.

Carter George – LA Kings

George exudes confidence and is cool under pressure. What really sets him apart is his ability to shake off a bad goal. For a goalie and an organization, that's gold. His game is all about calm, calculated moves. George doesn't do anything flashy (aside from trying to score goals), he is technically sharp, and moves clean as a whistle in the crease with no wasted energy. His movements are economical and efficient making him tough to beat. His resilience and mental toughness give him that extra edge. Looking ahead, George's chances of cracking an NHL lineup are realistic. He's got the mental game and technical foundation teams look for in a netminder. With a little more seasoning, he's a strong candidate to become one of those sleeper picks who makes a splash in the big leagues.

Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadians

Jacob Fowler is fast-tracking to become the future in net for the Montreal Canadiens, a potential elite goalie. Taken 69th overall in 2023, Fowler's been impressive since he first stood out with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. He has a solid .921 SV% and a 2.28 GAA, earning himself USHL Goaltender of the Year honors at 19 years of age along with snagging the Clark Cup MVP while leading Youngstown to a championship. During his freshman season at Boston College, Fowler exceeded all expectations, locking down the starting role and finished the season with a 2.14 GAA, .926 SV%, three shutouts, and an unreal 32-6-1 record.

While Boston College had a stacked lineup in 2023-24, Fowler was a major part of that recipe. Fowler's got the physical and mental toolkit along with the agility that screams NHL starter. Looking ahead, topping his freshman year will be a challenge, but Fowler's already one of the top goaltending prospects in the game. With guys like Yaroslav Askarov, Jesper Wallstedt, Dustin Wolf, and Devon Levi moving closer to being full time NHLer's, Fowler's positioning himself as a future heavyweight among goalie prospects. And he's kicked off 2024-25 with three shutouts in his first and a .943 SV% with a 7-1-0 record. Buckle up, Habs fans—this kid's headed for prime time.

Michael Hrabal – Utah Hockey Club

Going into the 2023 NHL Draft, Michael Hrabal was one of the top names on the goaltending radar. He wasn't the first netminder taken, but the Arizona Coyotes didn't hesitate to grab him at 38th overall. Hrabal checks all the boxes Utah's looking for to solidify their crease for the future: size, sharp reflexes, and a knack for clutch saves when the pressure is on. Last season, Hrabal held his own for UMass in the NCAA, posting a solid 2.59 GAA and a .912 SV% across 30 games, with two shutouts. His international play was just as impressive, playing for Team Czechia at both the 2023 U18 World Championship and the 2024 World Juniors, securing a bronze in 2024. He's off to a decent start in his sophomore season at UMass, going 4-4-2 with a 2.88 GAA and a .901 SV% over 10 games.  He's still raw and while Utah's rebuild is slowly taking shape vets like Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka anchoring the net will buy him some time so they don't need to rush Hrabal's development.

Sergei Murashov – Pittsburgh Penguins

Sergei Murashov, drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round in 2022, is starting to establish himself as one of Pittsburgh's top five prospects. Signed to a three-year entry-level contract this summer, Murashov impressed the team at both development camp and in intrasquad scrimmages earlier this year, displaying a composure that stands out even among seasoned players. He split his time between Russia's top leagues, posting a .925 SV% and 1.84 GAA with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL, along with an impressive .930 SV% and 2.03 GAA in the MHL, where he led the league with a 24-4-2 record and earned Best Goaltender honors.

He's projected as a potential NHL starter with a solid outlook, especially considering Pittsburgh's current depth in net. Neither Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic have shown that they can handle the top spot this year which explains why Joel Blomqvist has already made waves and could even be a sleeper Calder candidate. The Penguins have made it know they want the Jarry situation to work so they'll do everything in their power to make that happen. Meanwhile, Murashov's steady progress adds intrigue to the mix and while I'd be surprised to see him make his North American debut this year, you honestly never know. The reality is, the goaltending situation in Pittsburgh remains shaky at best.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.