All the talk around the Montreal Canadiens' goaltending situation is Samuel Montembeault's chances of getting a shot with Team Canada at the upcoming international tournaments and Jacob Fowler's eventual arrival from Boston College. Mixed up in that mess is Cayden Primeau wanting to stay part of the conversation. However, Jakub Dobes should get some love as the Laval Rocket's starting goaltender and a good puck-stopper in his own right.
Dobes was a workhorse for Laval last season. He played 51 games with the club, winning just 24 games. However, his stats were immaculate considering his losing record. The former Ohio State Buckeye owned a 2.93 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. It shouldn't be that surprising, as his freshman season in college featured a .934 save percentage and a 2.26 goals-against average.
Fowler is understandably the gem of the Canadiens' goaltending pipeline. His successful freshman season with Boston College cemented that, as he won 32 of his 39 starts, and owned a 2.14 goals-against average with a .926 save percentage. The numbers were impressive, but it can't be forgotten that Dobes had better numbers on a weaker team. I'm not trying to say that Dobes is the better goaltender, but the fanbase should give him more recognition.
Another successful season for Dobes in Laval could force the Canadiens to make a decision. Montembeault has three years remaining on his contract, but Primeau's deal runs out after this season. Primeau will likely want a raise, but it wouldn't make much sense to sign him long-term with Fowler likely turning pro after this season. I can see a scenario where Dobes becomes Montembeault's backup next season while Fowler develops for a year in the AHL.
Highway robbery from Jakub Dobes pic.twitter.com/i3fwTJCSdI
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) September 27, 2024
Dobes may no longer be the forgotten man after he entered the mainstream in the Canadiens loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Dobes played the entire game, recording 32 saves on 34 shots, and made some outstanding saves to leave his impression. Laval hasn't made the playoffs in two seasons, but a new coach and a more experienced Dobes could get them to a new level this season.