Let’s settle one case right away: Jakub Dobes will have an interesting to very interesting career in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Dobes got off to a great start in front of the Canadian’s cage. His recall from the Laval Rocket was unifying for the CH players… and for Samuel Montembeault.
The Czech giant, a product of the Ohio State University Buckeyes, will possibly be identified as a draft steal, as he was called up 136th overall in 2020. It’s another good move in Marc Bergevin’s reign.
But that’s not the point. Dobes won his first three starts, allowing just three goals, including just one at five-on-five.
One wonders where the Canadian would be if he had recalled Dobes earlier in the season rather than dragging a Cayden Primeau totally stifled by pressure into the first team. Injuries to Dobes prevented the CH from making this change earlier this fall.
Yes, but…
So, Jakub makes friends visibly. That’s great, but let’s remember that he is the seventh goalie in Canadian history to win his first three starts.
Needless to say, not all of them are in the Hall of Fame. Just think of Charlie Lindgren, Dobes’ opposite number before leaving the match with an injury on Friday. He found his heaven at age 28 in Washington, although he has only one good season in his career so far, last year.
The point is not to compare Dobes to Lindgren. I think the Canadian’s hope is higher than the Caps’ veteran. I just want to put into perspective the fantastic departure of the goalkeeper of the flannel.
Already on Friday, the two goals allowed by Dobes were on low shots from the glove side; the second, that of Lars Eller, was put on the short side.
-The sampling is thin, but what it tells me is that the Capitals, like the CH’s next opponents, now have video commands aimed at showing their players how to shoot to beat Dobes.
Am I implying that the balloon is already deflating before our eyes? Not a crumb. I maintain that Dobes will have a great career, mainly because of his Olympian calm and his strength of character. He is a fighter who competes, challenges opposing shots. He is fearless and wants to die for every puck aimed his way.
However, he needs to improve his technique and control. For the moment, he is, to be polite, a little crooked. Nothing dramatic, but to survive in the best league in the world, he will have to be more adjusted, more on point.
This work must be done quickly. We must feel and see his progress with each of his starts. This is essential in the Canadian equation. We felt Montembeault was running out of steam before Dobes was recalled… too many starts and too many shots to face night after night.
The Czech giant’s emergence gives oxygen to Monty who responded with a terrific performance on Saturday; the ranking point snatched is awarded to him at the top of the list. He held down the fort in the first half while lactic acid weighed down the legs of his teammates, who returned home at 4:15 a.m. the previous night due to a grounded plane in the US capital.
The example not to follow
In summary, Dobes is sparkling and this is great news in the short and medium term for the Canadiens organization. If the Czech continues his momentum he will allow the CH to be patient in the development of its jewel Jacob Fowler.
It would be a shame to have to try to skip steps for Fowler, the perfect example not to follow being that of the Buffalo Sabers with Montrealer Devon Levi. There, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen established himself, allowing them to take time to develop Levi in the American League. Sound management which is fortunately at the heart of Gorton & Hughes & Associates’ grand plan!
