Why is Jakub Dobes playing so many games?
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all many thanks to my editor Judy Pitcher for always editing my articles, adding stats and facts I may have overlooked. Updating the article between the time I wrote it and it’s being published.
I decided to write this article as several people on X(formerly Twitter) were discussing this topic. I’d like to give my thoughts. I will do so in an article as I usually do.
Right off the top Dobes has played more games this season than he had previously, already having appeared in 45 games for the Laval Rocket. With the exception of the 2020-21 season when he played for the USHL Omaha Lancers where he played 47 games. In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons he played in the NCAA for Ohio State University and played 35 games and 40 games, respectively.
To start the 2023-24 season Dobes was playing in every other game, sharing the net with Strauss Mann, who has since been re-assigned to the ECHL Trois Rivieres Lions. Laval signed Finnish goaltender Kasimir Kaskisou on Monday December 18, 2023. They shared the netminding duties until Kaskisou was injured. Although Kaskisou has returned, Dobes has still played all but one of those games, during which he was pulled.
For more information about Kasimir Kaskisou, please see my article at: https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2023/12/26/laval-rocket-sign-kasimir-kaskasou-to-a-pto//
What I don’t know is if this increase in play for the last 6 weeks or so was part of the plan since the start of the season by Laval Head Coach Jean-Francois Houle and Goalie Coach Marco Marciano.
This increase in playing time could be to help increase his stamina, which would be required to play professional Hockey on a regular basis. I can see the point of this with Jake Allen having been traded. Dobes would be the HABS call-up should either Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau get injured. He would need to be prepared to play at the higher level.
One thing for sure, is it is not a punishment, as earlier this seasonDobes was extended until July 1, 2025 to a 2-way contract. GM Kent Hughes signed him to the contract which would see him earn $950,000 in the NHL and $80,000 in the AHL. There are no bonus clauses in this contract.
As this season has progressed Jakub Dobes’ numbers and performance has improved, as of March 24, 2024 his SV% 0.903 and GAA 3.01. He has had one shutout on March 22, 2024, which coincidentally was David Reinbacher’s AHL debut. I don’t think this increased playing has anything to do with Jacob Fowler coming to Montreal, as he still has 1 year remaining in the NCAA for Boston College and they are still in the playoffs.
SOURCE
Jakub Dobes games played stats and contract
JUDY’S THOUGHTS
I don’t know how anyone could think playing Dobes so often would be punishment, if he was playing poorly he’d be sitting on the bench. I think, with Laval making a push for the AHL Playoffs, the Rocket are choosing to play the hot hand with their goaltender. That is currently Jakub Dobes!
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