The Montreal Canadiens’ decision to sign Jakub Dobes to a three-year extension has started new discussions about how the team is managing its young players and what the deal means for his long-term future.

NHL journalist Marco D’Amico from RG Media explained the details in a post on X. He said Dobes was first set to become a restricted free agent next summer at age 26, with only one RFA year left before he could reach unrestricted free agency.

D’Amico said the new contract changes that plan. By giving him a three-year extension, Montreal has added two extra UFA years to the deal.

This keeps Dobes under team control during his key development years. In simple terms, he will now become a UFA at age 29 when the contract ends, instead of becoming one earlier under his old timeline.

This type of contract is becoming more important in today’s NHL, where teams try to keep control of young players for longer before they reach free agency.

D’Amico’s insight shows that Montreal is not only securing performance but also carefully building future roster flexibility around key young players like Dobes.

The move also shows how fast Dobes has moved from a draft pick to an important part of the Canadiens’ long-term plans. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, but his development has gone faster than expected. That is why his contract is now seen as a smart long-term investment for Montreal’s depth chart.

Strong Performances Prompt Long-Term Commitment

As reported by Sportsnet, citing the Canadian Press, the Montreal Canadiens have officially signed Jakub Dobes to a three-year extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. The deal has an average value of about US$5.36 million per year. It comes after Dobes had a strong 2024-25 season.

Dobes, 25, finished the regular season with a 29-10-4 record in 43 games, along with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. He led all rookie goalies in wins.

He also played well in the playoffs. He started all 19 games as Montreal reached the Eastern Conference Final and posted a 2.66 GAA and a .908 save percentage.

Speaking after the extension, Dobes said, “I'm really happy, especially for my family ... I don't feel like the money is too important to me. I'm just happy I can focus on hockey and have a clear mind and try to win a championship in Montreal,” as reported by Sportsnet via the Canadian Press.

The extension also fits a wider trend for the Canadiens, who are locking in their young core with long-term deals, including recent contracts for Ivan Demidov and other key players.

With Jakub Dobes now secured for the future, Montreal’s plan around its young group is becoming clearer. But the bigger question is how far this team can actually go together when these players reach their peak years. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi