Patrick Williams submits the FloHockey AHL Power Rankings each week during the regular season.
It’s Jacob Fowler’s net in Laval.
A lot, anyway.
The Rocket coach gave Kaapo Kähkönen the start last Saturday afternoon in a 4-2 home win against the Toronto Marlies. Then it was back to Fowler on Monday afternoon in what turned out to be a 4-3 loss in a rematch in Toronto.
With a trip to Rochester this Friday followed by a Saturday-Sunday stop in Utica, Kähkönen should see another start.
2026 Laval Rocket vs Rochester Americans
It speaks to Laval’s strength-of-roster that a veteran like Kähkönen is a backup option. But Fowler, a rookie All-Star pick for the Rockets, has been great. Deeply in contention to be the future netminder for the Montreal Canadiens, Fowler has managed to put a little bit of everything together since leaving Boston College last April. He gained experience last spring in the Calder Cup Playoffs as the Rockets went to the Eastern Conference finals.
He then entered his first full pro campaign, quickly commanding the Rockets’ net, and was promoted to the Habs in December. In what turned out to be a 10-game exhibition at the NHL level that spanned five weeks, Fowler excelled. He then returned to the Rockets during a six-game road trip and adjusted to the AHL’s tumultuous, heavy-hitting and heavy-handed play. From there it was a detour to the AHL All-Star Classic last week and a chance to decompress a bit and get back into the teeth of the AHL schedule.
Although six points separate second and fifth place in the North Division, the first-placed Rockets are well placed to move away from the rest of the division, possibly as soon as this weekend. Their seven-point gap could grow, especially in the two contests with Utica.
Fowler has put himself in contention for league honors with his 18-7-1 | 2.23 | .915 streak through 26 games. Coming out of college, he showed no difficulty handling the demands of a pro schedule.
With the Rockets, the 2024-25 regular season champion, that test continues this weekend for them and their young goaltender.
1) Grand Rapids Griffins (–)
January’s (relative) slump is over. The Griffins are raising the score. As they have played – they still have a chance to set league records this season – they are still trying to loosen up Providence.
2) Providence Bruins (–)
Twelve games. Twelve wins in a row for the P-Bruins, tying a franchise record. At one point last weekend, they were briefly tied with the Griffins for first in the AHL in points. They now have a 3-in-3 weekend ahead of them against three teams below the playoff line. This streak could last even longer as Providence tries to catch up with Grand Rapids.
3) Laval Rocket (+4)
4) Colorado Eagles (-1)
First, it was a 2-1 lead in Chicago that disappeared last Saturday night. Then it started to go 2-0 to Wolves the next afternoon. After four games in a row against Chicago, the Eagles will find a new slide when the Coachella Valley Firebirds visit for two games. The Colorado Avalanche placed defenseman Jacob MacDonald on waivers after missing the first four months of the season with hip surgery; he should be a big player for the Eagles.
5) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (-1)
When the penguins are gone, they’re truly gone. Last weekend’s home loss to the Syracuse Crunch was one of those nights. They grabbed a point at home when they lost to the Cleveland Monsters to put something into their weekend. With a trip to Springfield followed by a home-and-home series with the Bridgeport Islanders, the schedule gives the Penguins a week to recover.
6) Bakersfield Condors (–)
Matthew Savoie has joined the Condors. The same is true of veteran NHL goaltender Calvin Pickard as the Bakersfield crease has become more crowded. Heading into Wednesday’s game against Coachella Valley, the Bakersfield coaching staff has several scheduling options.
7) Dominion of Ontario (-2)
Of course, it’s the second half, and the Reign can argue that they played the Abbotsford Canucks in two road games. But they went scoreless on that two-game trip to Abbotsford against an opponent below the Pacific Division playoff line. Locking up first place in the Pacific Division is essential to avoid playing a dicey-out-of-three series going into the postseason. If Dominion fails, they can look back to this past weekend.
8) Charlotte Checkers (–)
Coming off the All-Star break, the Checkers lost a home game to the Hartford Wolf Pack. They got their revenge the next time around, blasting the Wolf Pack with a 9-0 victory. When Checkers click, they can be powerful. They still have slip-ups like the loss to Hartford, though.
9) Chicago Wolves (+1)
In the event of a Chicago-Colorado matchup this spring, the Wolves have shown the Eagles that they can be a legitimate threat.
10) San Jose Barracuda (-1)
The Laurent Brossoit-Gabriel Carriere goal scoring tandem is still rocking, although this team can sometimes get out of trouble. Relying on slow scoring in this league is dangerous, however. After traveling to San Diego on Wednesday, they snap three straight games against the Calgary Wranglers.
11) Toronto Marlies (+1)
They earned a home-and-home series split with Laval. That would be a tough week for any team.
12) Coachella Valley Firebirds (-1)
With Nikke Kokko out for over a month, Victor Östman provided the Firebirds with a solid presence in net. He will need to continue to be that with stops in Bakersfield and Colorado this week for the Firebirds.
13) Syracuse Crunch (+1)
AHL All-Stars Jakob Pelletier and Conor Geekie returned from the break and helped the Crunch to two road wins. Friday-Saturday’s home game against Charlotte will be a good barometer for the Crunch.
14) Cleveland Monsters (+2)
The Monsters took care of business on a weekend trip to Pennsylvania to get ready for Wednesday’s trip to Grand Rapids. They have the Marlies down on Friday and Saturday and the tough schedule continues. They see the Griffins three times until March 7.
15) Rochester Americans (-2)
After allowing seven goals on home ice to the last Utica Comets, now the Amerks face a one-two point Charlotte and Laval visitors this week.
16) Manitoba Moose (-1)
Up one day, down the next. That’s been the theme for the Moose for most of this season despite one of the better rosters in the AHL. In a four-game homestand between the Calgary Wranglers and the Iowa Wild, they needed to pick up points, but inconsistency plagued the Moose.
Other
17) San Diego Gulls (+1)
18) Texas Stars (-1)
19) Tucson Roadrunners (–)
20) Hershey Bears (–)
21) Belleville Senators (–)
22) Bridgeport Islanders (–)
23) Henderson Silver Knights (+1)
24) Milwaukee Admirals (+1)
25) Rockford IceHogs (+1)
26) Lehigh Valley Phantoms (-3)
27) Springfield Thunderbirds (+1)
28) Calgary Wranglers (-1)
29) Abbotsford Canucks (+2)
30) Utica Comets (–)
31) Iowa Wild (-2)
32) Hartford Wolf Pack (–)
How to Watch the AHL
The AHL broadcasts worldwide on FloHockey. Watch every single game from the regular season through the Calder Cup Playoffs, as well as key events like the AHL All-Star Classic and AHL Outdoor Classic. Sign up for FloHockey today so you don’t miss out. All games will be available on FloHockey.tv or through FloSports mobile and connected TV apps.
NHL Prospect Coverage on FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of NHL minor league hockey and the NHL Draft is available on FloHockey. Don’t miss the latest prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL and more on FloHockey
FloHockey is home to broadcasts from some of the top hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join the Hockey Chat on FloHockey Social
