Montreal Canadiens Signing Yann Danis Bad News For Zach Fucale
The Montreal Canadiens signing Yann Danis creates a logjam of goaltenders in the farm system. This could prove to be bad news for Zach Fucale, who was once among the Habs top prospects.
The Montreal Canadiens signed veteran goaltender Yann Danis to a one-year, American Hockey League contract yesterday. The signing isn’t exactly a blockbuster move, but makes you wonder what effect it will have on Zach Fucale.
Fucale was once a can’t miss prospect. The second round pick had one of the most decorated Junior hockey careers ever. However, it hasn’t been easy for the netminder since turning pro a year ago.
Fucale did nothing but win with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. His record with the Nova Scotia based squad was 126-41-14 over four years. Fucale was dealt to the Quebec Remparts where he helped them to a lengthy playoff run as well.
In four Junior seasons, Fucale made it to the third round each year. He won 11 career playoff series while losing only three. It was all capped off with a Memorial Cup championship in 2013 with the Mooseheads.
Pro Career Not Off To Same Start As Junior
Since turning pro with the St. John’s Ice Caps, Fucale has lost more than he won. His record of 16-19-4 last year is as much a reflection of a poor team as it was on the goaltender. However, his 3.13 goals-against average and .903 save percentage just aren’t good enough.
Fucale’s 2016-17 campaign didn’t get off to a great start either. He allowed five goals on 29 shots in a 6-3 loss for the Ice Caps. His second start was much better, when Fucale stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 2-1 Ice Caps loss to the Providence Bruins.
It was a much better game than the first of the season, but now Fucale finds himself battling Danis and Charlie Lindgren for playing time.
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Lindgren is currently on the Canadiens roster. However, when Carey Price returns from injury, Lindgren will be sent back down to St. John’s. Lindgren is coming off a solid College career at St. Cloud State where he posted a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% last year.
Considering he was the goaltender who was called up to fill Price’s vacated roster spot, it stands to reason that he will be in the AHL this season.
Danis is coming off an impressive AHL season with the Albany Devils. He was at the AHL All-Star Game last season and has 12 solid seasons of minor league experience. At the age of 35, I doubt that Danis signed this contract thinking he was heading to the ECHL anytime soon.
Career Not Over If Sent To ECHL
This could leave Fucale, the once outstanding prospect, as the man who will be sent to the ECHL. This is certainly not the career path anyone envisioned for Fucale when he was taken 36th overall in the 2013 draft.
However, he is still just 21 years old and had many games where he looked great last season. Consistency was an issue, but not many 20 year-old goaltenders have it all figured out as rookie professionals.
Even if Fucale finds himself backstopping the Brampton Beast in the near future, it’s not time to write him off as a “bust” or a non-prospect. Again, he is a 21 year old goaltender, and many goalies his age have gone from ECHLer to NHLer.
Going back just a few years, you could have seen the likes of Braden Holtby, Jonathan Quick, Jaroslav Halak, Petr Mrazek, James Reimer, Michael Neuvirth, Mike Smith, Al Montoya, Devan Dubnyk and Michael Hutchinson suiting up in “The Coast.”
That’s not bad company, so let’s not overreact if Fucale joins that list this season.
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