Dobes Says Canadiens' Starting Job Must Be Earned
After a strong playoff run, Jakub Dobes opened camp by saying Montreal's three goaltenders still have to compete for the net.
Jakub Dobes is not treating the Montreal Canadiens' starting job as his own after a strong finish to last season and a deep playoff run.
The 25-year-old goaltender said Thursday that Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Fowler deserve the same opportunity to compete during training camp.
"We have a really good trio of goalies right now," Dobes said. "I think it's unfair to come here and say it's my spot. We will be battling all three together for a spot, and whoever gets the start on the 29th will play. Whoever plays better deserves to play."
Dobes won 10 of 14 games after the trade deadline with a .924 save percentage. He then led playoff goaltenders with 13.3 goals saved above expected through 19 games as Montreal reached the Eastern Conference Final.
Montembeault entered last season as the Canadiens' starter before falling down the depth chart. Fowler went 9-6-2 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average in his first 17 NHL appearances after being recalled from Laval.
Dobes, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, said the competition can change quickly.
"I might not even be here after two weeks," he said. "Two weeks is such a long time, especially in this market. It's hard to predict the future. I try to take it day by day."
He also said Montreal's playoff run did not leave him satisfied, pointing to the seven additional wins the Canadiens would have needed to win the Stanley Cup.
