Canadiens’ 3-Man Crease Rotation Is Hurting Dobes’ Development

When Montembeault returned from Laval, however, the dynamic changed again. The Canadiens now had three goaltenders they felt needed ice time, each for different reasons. Fowler needed starts to continue his development. Montembeault needed starts to rebuild confidence and rediscover his game. And yet, as the rotation tightened, Dobes was the one left watching from the bench or the press box.

Since Dec. 21, Dobes has seen minimal action despite previously being trusted with meaningful starts. While he hasn’t been flawless, he hasn’t been poor enough to justify being essentially shelved either. Instead, the Canadiens seem stuck trying to juggle competing priorities, and Dobes has become the collateral damage of that balancing act.

The Reason Behind It

From a logical standpoint, the Canadiens’ reasoning is easy to understand. Fowler is widely considered the organization’s goaltender of the future. At just 21 years old, his development is a top priority, and that development can only happen through game action. Sitting him on the bench for extended stretches would defeat the purpose of calling him up in the first place.

At the same time, Montembeault remains the most experienced goaltender on the roster. Confidence has always been a key factor in his success, and after a difficult stretch earlier in the season, the Canadiens clearly believe the best way to get him back on track is through consistent starts. From a short-term competitiveness standpoint, that makes sense as well.

The problem is that Dobes fits many of the same criteria as Fowler. He is young. He is still developing. He needs rhythm and consistency to progress. Goaltenders, perhaps more than any other position, rely heavily on timing, confidence, and repetition. Extended time without starts can quickly disrupt that rhythm, especially for a young goalie still trying to establish himself at the NHL level.

By prioritizing Fowler’s upside and Montembeault’s confidence, the Canadiens have unintentionally pushed Dobes into the background. He is no longer getting the starts required to properly evaluate his game, nor the consistency needed to continue his development. In trying to serve everyone’s needs, the three-man rotation is currently serving Dobes’ the least.

The End of the Three-Man Rotation

The organization is aware that this situation cannot last forever. General manager Kent Hughes has already acknowledged that the three-goalie rotation is not a long-term solution. At some point, the Canadiens will need to commit to just two goaltenders at the NHL level. The lingering question is not if that decision will come, but when. As the season progresses, delaying that decision only increases the risk of stalling one player’s development. 

Eventually, the Canadiens will need to decide which two goaltenders best serve both their present needs and future vision. Until that happens, Dobes remains the biggest victim of the current setup. In a season where development is supposed to be the priority, the longer this three-man rotation continues, the harder it becomes to justify how Dobes fits into the plan.

If the Canadiens truly want to develop all their young talent properly, the clock is ticking to end the experiment, and ensure Dobes doesn’t get lost in the crease.