The spotlight cuts through the chill of the Bell Centre, illuminating three masked figures at the heart of Montreal’s most unexpected drama. On one end, Samuel Montembeault, battered but unbowed, stands as the Canadiens’ anchor. On the other, Jacob Fowler, the 21-year-old phenom, flashes the kind of brilliance that can change the course of a franchise. But in the middle, caught between promise and pressure, is Jakub Dobes—a goaltender whose future could shape the fate of the entire team.

It’s not often that a roster logjam becomes the talk of the city, yet Montreal finds itself gripped by a question with no easy answer: What do you do when you have three goalies, each with something to prove and everything to lose? The tension is palpable, fueled by a string of performances that have left fans and analysts alike guessing at the next move. Dobes, fresh off a season boasting 17 games with a 10-4-2 record, has shown flashes of brilliance. His .887 save percentage and 3.15 goals-against average hint at both potential and vulnerability—a combination that makes him the most intriguing chess piece in the Canadiens’ current puzzle.

But the story doesn’t end with numbers on a stat sheet. Behind the scenes, a new narrative is taking shape, one that could see Dobes traded for the kind of center that Montreal has been searching for since the days of Saku Koivu. Jean-Charles Lajoie, the voice of bold ideas, has floated a scenario that feels both logical and quietly daring: send Dobes to Laval, let him build value, then package him in a trade that could bring a veteran left-shot center to the Habs without touching the core of the team. It’s a plan that whispers of patience and long-term vision, a reminder that sometimes the biggest moves happen when no one is looking.

Meanwhile, Jacob Fowler’s meteoric rise adds another layer of urgency. After dominating in Laval and stopping 36 shots in his first NHL win, Fowler is suddenly more than just a prospect—he’s a contender, breathing down the neck of the established order. Every start he earns, every save he makes, shifts the balance of power in Montreal’s crease. And with Montembeault still holding the reins, the Canadiens are faced with a rare luxury: three capable goalies, but only one net to defend.

What happens next is anyone’s guess. Will Dobes be sent down to sharpen his skills and boost his trade value? Will Fowler seize the moment and force a reshuffling of the depth chart? Or will Montreal’s front office hold firm, trusting that time will reveal the best path forward? The answers lie hidden in practice sessions, whispered conversations, and the quiet calculations of executives who know that one bold trade could change everything.

For now, the Canadiens’ three-goalie situation is a mystery wrapped in opportunity—a story with stakes that extend far beyond the crease. And as the city watches, waiting for the next twist, one thing is certain: the future of Jakub Dobes is about to become the hottest topic in hockey. If you think you know how this ends, you might want to read on, because the real drama is just beginning.

Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes

Photo credit: David Kirouac-USA Today Sports

The Montreal Canadiens currently have three goaltenders on their roster, and JiC is putting forward a trade proposal involving Jakub Dobes.

Samuel Montembeault remains at the center of the situation, as he has the most starts. This season, he is 5-6-1 in 15 games, with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .857 save percentage.

As for Jakub Dobes, he now has 33 career NHL games under his belt. In 2025-2026, he is 10-4-2 in 17 games, with a 3.15 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage.

Jean-Charles Lajoie wants to trade Jakub Dobes for a center

The idea is not to panic and to let the situation settle. Dobes is not a problem to be erased; he is an asset to be managed. If he plays regularly, his value can rise, especially when teams are looking for help in goal.

Here is what Jean-Charles Lajoie suggests:

“Based on Fowler’s and Dobes’ games, on Sunday I would make the decision either to keep Fowler with Sam on the main roster and send Dobes to Laval so he can play a lot of games, or to send Fowler back to the Rocket and keep the Montembeault/Dobes tandem intact-but that is not my ideal scenario.

After a solid month and a half for Dobes in Laval, during which Sam would have regained his bearings in Montreal, I would recall Jakub Dobes in order to give him a few starts that would allow him to be included in a multi-player trade package and finally add the sought-after veteran left-shot center to the Canadiens.

The more I think about it, the more I tell myself that, deep down, this may have been exactly Gorton and Hughes’ plan.”

– JiC, via TVA Sports

Meanwhile, Jacob Fowler has arrived as another major factor. At 21 years old, he was dominating in Laval with a 10-5-0 record, a 2.09 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, and three shutouts. Then, on Thursday in Pittsburgh, he won his first NHL game by stopping 36 shots in a 4-2 victory. He also earned himself another start tonight against the Rangers.

That is where JiC’s scenario becomes logical, without being urgent. If Fowler earns starts and Montembeault remains the primary option, Dobes becomes a piece that could address a need elsewhere in the lineup.

In the end, the Habs do not need to make a trade tomorrow morning. But if there is a clear opportunity to acquire a center without touching the core of the team, Dobes could open the door to landing a player for the club’s future.