The 2024 year was supposed to be different for the Montreal Canadiens. They believed their rebuild was starting to end, and they wondered whether 2024 would end with them looking ahead to a run at the playoffs in 2025. The year ended with a string of wins that elevated them to sixth place in the Atlantic Division, but they are still seven points behind in a playoff race. This series will examine how each player performed over the 2024 calendar year. Next up is the newest goaltender, Jakub Dobes.
All eyes are on the upcoming signing of Jacob Fowler's professional contract. No one really looked at Jakub Dobes as a piece of the Canadiens' goaltending future, but he has turned heads throughout 2024. It took nearly the entire calender year to finally get his opportunity, but Dobes made the most of his opportunity.
JAKUB DOBES. pic.twitter.com/Rv0SM4v26i
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 28, 2024
No one had a better end to 2024 than Dobes, as he finally made his NHL debut and recorded a 34-save shutout against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Dobes will likely spend the rest of the season in Montreal, as Cayden Primeau tries to regain his form in the American Hockey League. Dobes' future is a bit more murky, as it'll likely depend on the development of Jacob Fowler once he signs his first pro contract.
Dobes has an interesting opportunity in front of him. He will back up Sam Montembeault, who the Canadiens will likely want to hold on to for good reason. If Fowler is as good as everyone expects him to be, it won't be long until he is knocking on the door of the NHL. Dobes is essentially auditioning for a full-time NHL role in a different city over the next couple of seasons, unless the Canadiens decide he would be a worthy tandem pair with Fowler.
The 34-save shutout was a good start, but Dobes' potential is high thanks to his performances over the past year in the American Hockey League. Dobes also stole the show in the 2024 preseason, but the Canadiens were already set on the tandem of Montembeault and Primeau. He shook off the cut from training camp and posted a 9-3-1 record in Laval with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The Canadiens had no choice but to reward him with a new challenge in Montreal for 2025.