Gabriel Fortier

July 2024 – Fortier has not seen a single call up for two seasons now and as time goes by it is looking ever more likely he will remain as an AHL player or sign in Europe instead of ever making the NHL. A solid AHL player, Fortier is just not good enough to crack an NHL roster. He had a good playoff run with the Crunch last year, if it is an indication that he is finding his game, or just a flash should become evident this season. Some hope remains that he finds a way to take the next step and improve, but it looks like a losing bet. Markus Roach

May 2023 – The last three seasons have seen Fortier get bounced around between the NHL and AHL, with most of his time being spent in Syracuse. His production and overall performances were alright, but not enough to keep the young forward in the NHL full-time. Fortier still has some value as a future bottom-six forward and could be a good defensive presence to have on the penalty kill. Wade Messier

June 2020 – After a mid-season trade brought Fortier to the Moncton Wildcats, Fortier rediscovered his scoring touch after a slow start and finished the season with 63 points in 64 games, 31 of which coming in the 28 games following the trade from Baie-Comeau. Fortier is a competitive and high-intelligence player who brings awareness and versatility in all three zones and still projects as a top-nine NHL forward at his peak. Brandon Holmes

November 2019 – Fortier has returned to Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL for his fourth full season with the club, where he has been named the captain of the team while resuming his role as the top-line center. Fortier once again finds Nathan Legaré on his right-wing, however, the departure of Ivan Chekhovich seems to have hurt his production level, as Fortier has fallen below point-per-game in the QMJHL for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. Through 27 games, Fortier currently sits at seven goals 18 points, which ties him for second on the club in points scored. Fortier remains a reliable two-way presence and still projects as a potential top-nine NHL forward. Brandon Holmes

May 2019 – The 2018-2019 season saw a vast increase in production for Fortier in the QMJHL, as his point total spiked by 24 points for a total of 83 points in 68 games for Baie-Comeau. Fortier took on an expanded role this year for the Drakkar, moving in to center the first line with Ivan Chekhovich and Nathan Légaré on his wings while also being a key figure on Baie-Comeau’s power play. His line became among the most feared in the entirety in the QMJHL, and Fortier was a big part of his line’s dominance as he played the role of playmaker with the two high-powered goal-scorers on his wing, while also bringing two-way responsibility to balance out the line. The attributes that made Fortier worth a second round pick in 2018 were the same attributes that were on display every night in the QMJHL: pace, skill, and competitive edge. Fortier’s skill level remains good, albeit not great, and it’s easy to see his eventual projection as a top-nine forward at the NHL level. Brandon Holmes

June 2018 – With their first pick at 59th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry draft, Al Murray and the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Gabe Fortier from the Baie Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL. Fortier is a defense-first minded winger who becomes a safe pick for the Lightning in the 59-hole. He has a moderate level of creativity to his game, but skates well and handles the puck competently at high speeds. His creativity is unlikely translate to the faster pro game, but his fundamentals are solid which indicates he could provide value in the long term. Brayden Olafson