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Less than two games in February: Jakub Dobes must play
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Less than two games in February: Jakub Dobes must play
Credit: Getty Images
Tonight, the Canadian will have Samuel Montembeault play against the Sharks.

What this tells me is that Martin St-Louis wants to win. After all, if he puts his #1 goalie against one of the worst teams in the NHL, it’s to go get the two points.

A few days before the deadline, the coach wants to get closer to the series.

(Credit: NHL.com)
Result? Goalie Jakub Dobes, who some saw as the club’s #1 goalie after four starts in the NHL, is still on the bench for tonight’s game.

Overall, he has played barely over 80 minutes in February. That’s not much… and he hasn’t exactly dominated.

(Credit: ESPN)
We understand that the Canadian wants to use Monty. We understand that February is the shortest month of the year. We also understand that the Four Nations Tournament changes things in terms of games in February.

But… 1.3 games, that’s really not much.

Last year, Dobes played 51 games in Laval. He often had a net and it allowed him to progress. You know as well as I do that a young goalie, to get mileage, has to play.

But this year, he has only played 23 games: nine in Montreal and 14 in the lower leagues.

Right now, there’s a dilemma surrounding him: should the CH keep him up top because he gives the best chances of winning as the club’s #2 goalie… or should the CH send him back down so he can progress?

The question is important.

Cayden Primeau, who is rolling in the lower leagues right now, saw his development take a hit when the CH had him go back and forth between Laval and Montreal a few years ago. That’s not what the CH wants for Dobes. #PrioritizeDevelopment

What also needs to be noted is that the CH will have a decision to make soon.

On March 7, Dobes will be sent back to Laval to be a member of the Rocket at the deadline. Thus, he will be eligible to participate in the playoffs with the Rocket, which is the right thing to do.

Logic dictates that he should be called back up right after.

But I wonder if the Canadian couldn’t call up Primeau instead. That way, Dobes would get playing time in the lower leagues – which he desperately needs, no matter the place.

I’m targeting that moment (and it’s just me talking here) because after the deadline, every call-up that’s not related to an injury is counted. If nothing changes, they’ll have to take one for Owen Beck (who will be sent to Laval on paper on March 7 if he’s still in Montreal) and one for a goalie.

There will only be two call-ups left until the end of the season. And I don’t think the CH would want to waste one at the end of the season just to change goalies. That forces the CH to have an idea of its plan by March 7.

So behind Montembeault, who is delivering this season, who will be there? Will it depend on the CH’s plan for winning or development? Possibly, yes.

No matter what happens, the Canadian has to play Dobes. Whether it’s in the NHL or in the playoff run in Laval, the European deserves to play.

The answer will come soon.


In a hurry

— Macklin Celebrini at the World Championship: he’d say yes. He wants to get his feet wet with Team Canada, does he? #Olympics2026

— Indeed.

— News from CF Montreal.

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