Habs Hebdo: Jakub Dobes saves face for the goalie prospects

Welcome to this new edition of Habs hebdo, your weekly column on the Montreal Canadiens’ prospects. For all previous columns: Hebdo CH Section.

When looking at the Montreal Canadiens, it’s clear that the future in goal might not have arrived yet within the organization. For a long time, we at TSLH Espoirs viewed Samuel Montembeault as a solid transitional goaltender during this rebuild. As for me, I’ve been saying for a few years now that Cayden Primeau will probably never be a number one goalie. It’s important to note that, with the defense these goaltenders currently have in front of them, it’s difficult to perform well. This week in the world of Canadiens prospects, we’re happy to highlight Jakub Dobes. Generally, goaltending prospects deliver good performances. But, of course, it’s just one week—not exactly a reason to call your mom !

Jakub Dobes, CH Prospect of the Week

The Laval Rocket goaltender earns the title of Prospect of the Week in Hebdo CH. In two starts, he secured two wins. Furthermore, these victories were both in overtime and shootouts. The Czech netminder kept his team in the game every time, helping the Laval Rocket tie for first place in the AHL.

We tend to take it for granted that Jacob Fowler will be the goaltender of the future, but Jakub Dobes is still around to prove otherwise. This week, with the Rocket, he showed what he’s capable of when tasked with a heavier workload. This was his strength in the NCAA, and it remains so today. Over two games this week, Dobes was solid for 8 periods and added a shootout session. In the NCAA, he was the type of goaltender who played every game and showed great consistency. Given how he’s playing now, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s given a chance to play a few NHL games this season.

Yevgeni Volokhin Struggles in the KHL

Still on the topic of goaltenders, it wasn’t an easy week for Yevgeni Volokhin. The Russian goalie is part of a three-goalie rotation with HC Sochi, one of the worst teams in the KHL. While it was easy for him in the MHL, thanks to a great defense in front of him with Mamonty Yugry, Volokhin is facing his first real adversity this season. His move to the KHL has somewhat exposed his weaknesses in terms of anticipation.

This week, Volokhin’s game didn’t last long. In his only start, the 19-year-old allowed three goals in the span of two minutes at the end of the first period. He was replaced by the backup for that game, Nikita Tulinov, who didn’t perform much better, allowing three goals on 13 shots.

Jacob Fowler Not Happy

Wrapping up on the goaltending prospects, we remind you that Jacob Fowler received a one-game suspension for a blocker to the face of an opponent. In the game against Northeastern on Friday, Fowler was run into after allowing his third goal of the game, and he literally lost his cool. It’s worth noting that this was his third goal conceded in just 4 minutes toward the end of the second period. Too bad, because he had been magnificent in the first period, stopping all 23 shots he faced. To watch the sequence:

Firsts This Week

Sean Farrell finally earned his first point of the season when he assisted on Jared Davidson’s goal. Davidson is having a great season, and his numbers could have been even more impressive if it weren’t for an injury. With this point, Farrell sheds the label of being the only player without a point this season.

And in the NCAA, Logan Sawyer scored his first goal of the season. We remember that he left the BCHL to join Providence directly. It was a decision that didn’t sit too well with his former coach, as he recently confided to our writer Gregory. Logan Sawyer described himself as a « steal » in the recent draft when we interviewed him. This season, he has recorded 6 points in 11 games at 18 years old in the NCAA. Here’s the sequence of his first career goal in the NCAA:

Flash News

– Sam Harris continues his dominance at the University of Denver. Another three points this week for the player who is now ranked 3rd in NCAA scoring. However, the two players ahead of him also play for Denver. So, it’s understandable that the team itself is a factor in Harris’s production.

– Ivan Demidov’s slump continues. Another week without a point for the Montreal Canadiens’ top prospect. His last point was on October 30. In his three games this week, he averaged 11 minutes of ice time.

– Keep an eye on Joshua Roy’s production now that Alex Barre-Boulet is injured again.

– Xavier Simoneau, just like last year, is definitely the most consistent point producer since I’ve been writing Hebdo CH. Another two points this week, along with a steady effort on the ice.

– Points are back in Bogdan Konyushkov’s game at Torpedo. He’s been playing really well since the start of the season, but the points weren’t coming, even though he was being used in all situations. Three assists this week. Excluding the goaltenders, he would clearly have been the top prospect of the week!

– Ben Merrill has a record worthy of a Cy Young winner in MLB. With his two goals this week, the Penticton Vees forward in the BCHL boasts an 8-0-8 record in 20 games.

Statistics collected from November 11 to November 17 inclusive.

GOALIES