How long can the Canadiens keep Jakub Dobes in the American Hockey League?

Jakub Dobes turned heads in the preseason of the fans who watch only the Montreal Canadiens and don't dabble in the American Hockey League. Laval Rocket fans already knew that Dobes could be the real deal, but we saw it in Montreal when he starred in the preseason. Dobes picked up where he left off after getting sent to the AHL, recording a 2-0 record with a .902 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average.

The Canadiens will soon need to decide on their goaltending future. Jacob Fowler will likely leave Boston College this season, forcing the team's hand. They have some flexibility, as Cayden Primeau, Connor Hughes, and Dobes are free agents in the offseason. I predict they let Primeau walk, elevate Dobes to the NHL to be a tandem with Sam Montembeault, and put Fowler in Laval with Hughes or another veteran goaltender.

That would clean up the situation for 2025-26, but the question is what they'll do this season. Primeau's performance through two games this season could have been better. He has a 4.42 goals-against average and a .862 save percentage. It'd be tough to continue putting Primeau out there if the Canadiens were fighting for a playoff spot, but that also seems unrealistic for this season. They may be better off leaving Primeau in the NHL and allowing Dobes to be the starter in Laval. The Canadiens don't want to admit they're tanking, but Primeau could set them up to finish with a better first-round draft pick.

Dobes' future will likely depend on the direction of the Canadiens' season. Montreal still wants to be "in the mix" this season, and Dobes as the backup might give them the better chance to do that. They've tied their wagon to Primeau after his breakout 2023-24 season, but a small sample size this season is giving little hope.

Keeping Dobes in the AHL may also get them a cheaper deal for Dobes to be the NHL backup next season. If he comes to Montreal and has plenty of success, his price will go up in contract negotiations this offseason. Dobes deserves the recall, but Montreal will have to think long and hard about how it sets them up for the future.