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Elliotte Friedman’s theory regarding Jakub Dobes

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Elliotte Friedman’s theory regarding Jakub Dobes

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Oct 22, 2026 11:09 AM ET

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I don’t think I need to paint another picture of the Canadiens’ goalies.

Everyone knows that right now, the team plays with more confidence when Jacob Fowler is in net. You can see it, but you can feel it, too.

The fact that Cole Caufield publicly stood up to Jakub Dobes speaks volumes.

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All this to say that the Canadiens need to find a way to restore Dobes's confidence moving forward. The team will need him during the loooooong 2026–2027 season—that's for sure.

How? We'll see. But it has to start with the player himself, who needs to get into a better mindset.

On that note, Elliotte Friedman (in his latest episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast) said he has a theory about what's going on with Jakub Dobes.

He thinks the Canadiens' #75 is a bit rattled by the challenge of having to compete so quickly against Jacob Fowler.

We can all agree that things have changed quickly in Montreal. During training camp, it was clear that Samuel Montembeault had what it took to reclaim his starting spot in Montreal, which made Dobes the #1.

But the Quebec native's injury changed everything. Fowler arrived as backup… and since then, the American has been taking the city by storm.

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I get the feeling that Dobes, who's probably taken his #1 spot for granted since the end of the playoffs, is realizing things are changing fast. And above all, that it's happening faster than expected.

But in the NHL, you can never be satisfied with anything. You can't take anything for granted.

It's also worth noting that José Théodore (98.5 Sports) is right: ultimately, HuGo (who drafted Fowler, but not Dobes) sees Fowler as the next Carey Price.

And Dobes is like Jaroslav Halak: he's good, but he's not the chosen one.

The Canadiens love Jacob Fowler. And that certainly doesn't sit well with Jakub Dobes, who proved himself last year in the playoffs and signed a nice contract this summer.

The NHL is a league where you have to fight to keep your spot. It's up to Dobes (who has the talent to do so) to make it happen. Because yes, if he wins and plays well, he'll get the ice time to match.

In a nutshell

– Enjoy the show.

Podcast by @passion_mlb with @SebasBerrouard

Setting the stage for the World Series https://t.co/aMU7e3UG1L

— Charles-Alexis Brisebois (@Charles__Alexis) October 22, 2026

– What a horrible night for CF Montréal.

I didn't get much sleep. And the few hours I managed to get some shut-eye were more restless than restful. #CFMTL

When I opened my eyes this morning, I was hoping it had all been just a nightmare, but no.

I've been repeating just one thing to myself since 10 p.m.: we've witnessed either the beginning of something or the end.

What end?

Getting eliminated—with three different coaches—three years in a row against the Forge should be the ultimate proof that the problem is NOT the coach. It runs deeper than that.

Prince Owusu—who missed both his penalty kick AND his shootout attempt—makes more money on his own than all the Forge players combined.

Alexis Sánchez too… and he didn't play a single minute. Hello?!

It's not just certain players who have given up. The fans, Quebec Inc., the media, and the City are all losing faith.

The club's pride and reputation took a serious hit yesterday.

Either the club professionalizes and gets back on its feet, or it fades away. Things can't go on like this.

This photo speaks volumes: we see Philippe Eullaffroy arguing with Alexis Sanchez, then ultimately running out of time to make his final substitutions (his DP player and one or two 17-year-olds), while Bobby Smyrniotis watches the game. One is in complete control, and the other, not at all.

Smyrniotis has been in his position since the Forge was founded in 2017. Eullaffroy, on the other hand, is the eighth coach to lead CF MTL since 2017.

Knowing soccer isn't the only prerequisite for coaching. You have to know how to manage a team over the long term and read the game as it unfolds before your eyes.

To think that Smyrniotis almost came to Montreal a few years ago, but it didn't happen because of a difference of a few thousand dollars…

But I'll say it again: the problem highlighted last night at Saputo Stadium runs deeper than just coaching.

— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) October 22, 2026

And he wanted to go with Rios and Prince, rather than Sanchez.

Damn, Filo… we only have one designated player, and he's had quite the career… yet the coaching staff doesn't think he should start against a CPL team. Some things just don't make sense.

Planning to bring him in at the 60th is fun… but then you end up down to 10 players. And your plan goes out the window.

— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) October 22, 2026

– The resemblance to his dad is uncanny.

Austin Lemieux shot a 66 (his dad Mario's longtime number @Penguins) in his second Monday qualifier and will make his PGA Tour debut Thursday @Bermuda_Champ.

The former college hockey player has signed up for Q-School this fall and is aiming for status on a Tour-sanctioned circuit. https://t.co/1vUwDk8BYk

— PGA Tour (@PGATour) October 21, 2026

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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