Breaking News: 22-Year Old Montreal Canadiens Star Shows Potential In AHL Level
The Laval Rocket capitalized on the struggles of the Bridgeport Islanders on February 28th, bouncing back to victory after two consecutive losses. They secured a 4-0 victory, with goaltender Jakub Dobes delivering his strongest performance of the season. Dobes, in particular, stood out by making 35 saves and achieving his inaugural shutout at the American Hockey League (AHL) level.
Dobes had encountered difficulties at the onset of his AHL career, entering the Wednesday night matchup with a .899 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.17 goals-against average (GAA) across 34 games. Despite these challenges, the 22-year-old goaltending prospect views this season not solely through the lens of statistics but as an opportunity for growth and development. His stellar showing against the Islanders showcased his potential to evolve into a dependable goaltender in the future.
Dobes As A Project
Goalkeepers typically require more time to develop, and predicting the journey from the draft to the NHL is challenging. Dobes’ development timeline is even more uncertain due to his unique skill set and size. While the Islanders have Henrik Tikkanen, a goalie prospect on a similar trajectory standing at 6-foot-8, Dobes, though not as large, at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, offers a larger and more athletic presence. These attributes earned him a fifth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and distinguished him at Ohio State in the NCAA. Now, he aims to make an impact on the Montreal Canadiens, who boast a robust farm system.
With measurements akin to Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets’ starting goalie and the recipient of the 2020 Vezina Trophy, Dobes is positioned for potential, though forecasting him as the next Hellebuyck remains speculative. The Canadiens aspire for him to reach that level, acknowledging his agility and athleticism but recognizing the need for refinement. While he displayed adept puck-handling skills against the Islanders, he occasionally exhibited overzealousness in his movements, particularly towards one direction. Moreover, adapting to the AHL’s pace has posed challenges, exacerbated by the struggles of the Rocket defense.
The Rocket’s defensive deficiencies, evident in their average of 3.63 goals allowed per game and 32.08 shots faced per game, demand exemplary performances from their goaltenders to keep contests competitive. Dobes, in particular, faced overwhelming shot volumes, leading to initial struggles early in the season. His first three starts saw 15 goals conceded, including six in a loss to the Rochester Americans on Oct. 27. However, he has since demonstrated a level of play befitting the AHL standard.
Dobes Starting To Find A Rhythm
In four out of his last five appearances, Dobes has conceded just two goals or less, often having to lead the Rocket to victory through sheer determination. In the match against the Hershey Bears on Feb. 21, a formidable AHL team, he managed to save 24 out of 26 shots and all three shootout attempts, securing a 3-2 win for the Rocket.
This season has been a period of adjustment for Dobes, but the Rocket are now witnessing his progress. He has evolved into a more strategic goaltender, effectively predicting the flow of play and the origin of shots. His standout performance came against the Islanders, where despite facing a barrage of high-quality shots, he managed to keep a clean sheet, delivering a shutout.
What Dobas Provides The Rocket
The Rocket currently boast three goaltenders on their lineup, with Dobes serving as the primary starter while Kasimir Kaskisuo and Strauss Mann fill in as backups. Mann, aged 25, is another prospect on the team, albeit with less potential. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have their sights set on Jacob Fowler as a future standout goalie, but at 19 years old, he’s still far from NHL readiness.
Dobes is showing promise as a top-tier goaltender in the AHL, positioning himself for a potential NHL starting role. The Canadiens, amidst their rebuilding efforts, have assembled a solid roster but lack strength in the goaltending department to reach greatness. While Samuel Montembeault is likely to remain the starter for the foreseeable future, the team requires a dependable backup. Dobes could fill this role and perhaps even challenge Montembeault for the starting position down the line.
The Canadiens are in pursuit of a successor to the legendary Carey Price, a three-time Vezina Trophy recipient, the 2015 Hart Trophy winner, and a beloved franchise figure widely regarded as one of the NHL’s greatest goaltenders. Finding a replacement of comparable caliber seems improbable, but the goal is to secure a goaltender who can at least come close to Price’s level. Addressing the goaltending position is crucial to completing the team’s rebuilding efforts, with Dobes offering potential to elevate the Canadiens into contention.