Canadiens sign Dobes to 2-year deal with $965K cap hit

The Montreal Canadiens signed restricted free-agent goaltender Jakub Dobes to a two-year contract with a $965,000-cap hit, the team announced Sunday.

Dobes posted a .909 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average in 16 games last season. He made his NHL debut Dec. 28 and recorded a 34-save shutout against the Florida Panthers.

The 24-year-old was called into playoff action during the first round against the Washington Capitals after Sam Montembeault was injured in Game 3. Dobes went 1-2 with a .881 SV% and a 2.91 GAA in three postseason appearances.

Dobes will still be a restricted free agent at the expiry of his new deal.

The Czech native was drafted 136th overall in 2020 by the Canadiens. He won Big Ten Goaltender of the Year at Ohio State in 2022 as a freshman.