The Canadiens may be staring at another goaltending crossroads, and this one has an old familiar feel to it. Jacob Fowler has jumped in and made a strong early impression in the 2026-27 season, while Jakub Dobes has had a rougher time finding his rhythm. Put that together, and Montreal could eventually be headed for a decision that echoes a debate fans remember well.
That older comparison is Carey Price versus Jaroslav Halak. In the late 2000s, the Canadiens had two young netminders drawing real attention: Price, taken fifth overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and seen as the future, and Halak, a ninth-round pick in 2003 who had carved out a real NHL role for himself. The argument peaked in the 2009-10 season, when Halak seized the starting job and put together a playoff run that took Montreal past the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins before the Canadiens lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Even with that run, Montreal chose Price. Halak was traded to the St.
Louis Blues in June 2010 for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. It was a controversial call then, but the Canadiens were ultimately vindicated when Price became one of the greatest goaltenders in franchise history.
Now the organization is dealing with a new version of that problem. Fowler is being treated as the long-term answer in net, much like Price once was, while Dobes has outperformed expectations and shown he belongs at the NHL level. The situations are not identical, but the resemblance is obvious enough to make people look twice.
Dobes started the 2026-27 season in the lead for Montreal’s crease after an impressive playoff run and a new contract extension. The 25-year-old looked like he was ready to lock down the starting role.
Instead, his first four starts have been uneven: a 1-2-1 record, a 4.63 goals-against average and an .842 save percentage. Montreal’s defensive issues have not helped him, but Dobes has also looked shaky and has not given the club the steady play it needs.
Fowler, by contrast, has taken the opening and run with it. After being recalled because of Samuel Montembeault’s injury, the young American has gone 3-1 in his first four appearances, with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. He has not been flawless, but he has looked far more settled and has given the Canadiens a much-needed sense of calm early on.
At this point, it is getting harder to imagine Fowler going back to the Laval Rocket if this continues. Montreal clearly sees him as a major part of what comes next, and his start suggests that next chapter may be closer than expected.
That leaves the Canadiens with another question: could Dobes eventually become a trade candidate? It is early, especially after how important he was in last season’s playoff push, but the possibility is there. With Montembeault expected back from injury and Dobes already under contract for the foreseeable future, Montreal could wind up with three NHL-calibre goaltenders in the mix.
Keeping both Fowler and Dobes would also make sense. Teams chasing the Stanley Cup would love to have two young goaltenders with upside.
Still, Dobes could hold real trade value. He is 25, he has shown he can handle pressure, and his contract only adds to the appeal for teams looking for help in goal.
If the Canadiens decide Fowler is ready to be the long-term starter, moving Dobes could help Kent Hughes fill another need while turning a valuable asset into something else the roster requires. But there is no reason to rush. Four tough starts do not erase what Dobes has already shown.
The Price-Halak saga is a reminder that these calls can get messy, but it also shows why patience matters. For now, Montreal should let both Fowler and Dobes keep pushing each other. Still, if Fowler keeps rising, the Canadiens may find themselves facing another difficult choice in net.
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