What happened: Jakub Dobes has agreed to a three-year contract worth $16.05 million to remain with the Montreal Canadiens. The deal secures the goaltender's rights through the coming seasons as Montreal sets its crease for the 2026-27 campaign.

Why it matters: Committing term and money to Dobes signals Montreal's confidence in him as part of its goaltending plan rather than chasing an outside option, a question that has followed the club through the offseason after recent speculation about the Canadiens' crease. Cost certainty in net gives the front office flexibility to allocate cap space elsewhere on the roster.

What to watch: Watch how Montreal structures its goaltending tandem and depth chart heading into training camp for the 2026-27 season.