Yesterday marked the deadline for player-selected arbitration, with only Jayden Struble opting to use this option. Although Jakub Dobes was eligible, he chose not to submit arbitration, which turned out to be unnecessary. Less than a day later, the Montreal Canadiens announced they had finalized a contract with the promising young goaltender.
Dobes experienced a baptism by fire in the NHL this season when he was thrown into action against the Stanley Cup–defending Florida Panthers on December 28th.
No one expected the 24-year-old to debut last season. The Canadiens traded Jake Allen at the 2023-24 trade deadline, confident that Samuel Poulin was ready to handle the backup goaltender responsibilities, as his stats reflected. Poulin ended the season with an 8-9-4 record, a 2.99 goals-against average (GAA), and a .910 save percentage. However, October, November, and December were rough months for him.
By the time Poulin was sent to Laval, he had a 2-3-0 record, a 4.70 GAA, and an .836 save rate. This led Martin St. Louis to lose confidence in him, prompting Dobes to step in. In his first game with the Canadiens, Dobes shut out the Panthers, stopping 34 shots. He went on to win his first five starts against strong teams like the Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers.
The next 11 games proved tougher, with Dobes facing several losing streaks, but he bounced back, posting a .973 save percentage and .971 save percentage in the final two games. He finished the season with a 7-4-3 record, a 2.74 GAA, and a .909 save percentage.
Dobes’ new contract is a two-year, one-way deal with an average annual value of $965,000, just $185,000 less than 28-year-old free-agent signing Kaapo Kahkonen. This move completes the Dobes trade, allowing GM Kent Hughes to adjust the team’s salary structure based on each goaltender’s performance. Montembeault will become an unrestricted free agent, while Dobes and other restricted free agents with arbitration rights have just a year left before full free agency takes effect. Meanwhile, Jacob Fowler remains under his entry-level contract.
As training camp approaches, Dobes is expected to compete for the backup role, which many believe he will secure. However, Kahkonen has made it clear he intends to return to the NHL. The Finnish goalie has 140 NHL games of experience and must clear waiver exemptions assigned to the Laval Rocket.
It will be exciting to see how Dobes handles internal competition. He is well-regarded within the organization, having showcased his skills last season. Dobes offers a different style of goaltending compared to what Montreal is used to; while his technique and positioning may not be perfect, he consistently finds ways to stop the puck.
Unlike Samuel Montembeault, Dobes is very aggressive in the crease, using a strong stick to intercept passes and disrupt plays. He actively polices the crease and isn’t afraid to push opponents out. This distinctive style made Dobes the only free agent that Hughes prioritized signing.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Immagn Images
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Fan Take: This news is significant for hockey fans because it highlights the emergence of a promising young goaltender who could redefine the Canadiens’ future in net. Dobes’ aggressive style and proven resilience in high-pressure situations could inject new energy into the team and influence goaltending strategies across the league.
