The Montreal Canadiens experienced considerable enhancement during 2024-25, and they are aiming for further betterment subsequent to obtaining prominent defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, according to information provided by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Montreal relinquished a duo of first-round draft choices, alongside forward Emil Heineman to New York, but Dobson might indeed validate the expenditure.
During the recent season, the Canadiens concluded a three-year absence from playoff contention and exhibited traits of a team ascending in capability. Given the team’s improving state, general manager Kent Hughes executed a notable acquisition preceding the 2025 NHL Draft. Montreal dispatched the No. 16 and No. 17 overall draft selections to the Islanders in exchange for Dobson, a 25-year-old defenseman recognized for exceptional puck-moving skills.
From 2021-22 onwards, Dobson has solidified his position as an impressive top-four defenseman within the NHL, attaining the 70-point threshold in 2024-25. Apart from his offensive endeavors, Dobson’s contributions during five-on-five situations were outstanding in the prior year, presenting him as a high-caliber two-way defender.
The Islanders have explicitly entered a phase of reconstruction, and they presently possess three first-round draft choices, encompassing the No. 1 overall selection. The manner in which New York leverages these selections will ultimately ascertain the perception of this trade over the ensuing three to five years.
Let’s examine the outcomes for each participant in this transaction, with Dobson’s transfer northward to Montreal.
The trade
Canadiens receive
-D Noah Dobson
Islanders receive
-2025 first-round pick (No. 16)
-2025 first-round pick (No. 17)
-F Emil Heineman
The grades
Montreal Canadiens
Speculation surrounded Dobson due to his ongoing contractual discussions with the Islanders, and the Canadiens capitalized on the situation. Montreal now possesses another adept defenseman to partner with the 2025 Calder Trophy recipient, Lane Hutson, on the defensive line; however, did this warrant the expense?
In summary, indeed. Dobson is an established asset within his prime. At his minimum, he represents a highly capable second-pairing defenseman. Optimally, Dobson has demonstrated potential to evolve into a genuine No. 1 presence on the blue line. The past season furnished some indication of both. Dobson’s offensive production diminished somewhat, yet he still accumulated 39 points while maintaining a 54.5% expected goals share during five-on-five play, according to Natural Stat Trick. His plus-three goal differential may not appear particularly noteworthy, but this was more influenced by the team’s suboptimal shooting percentage with Dobson on the ice.
As a component of the trade, Dobson is slated to finalize an eight-year agreement valued at $9.5 million per season, as reported by Friedman. This constitutes a substantial investment for the Canadiens, yet not when factoring in his top-pairing capability and the circumstance that Hutson is operating under an entry-level contract at $950,000 for an additional year.
Surrendering a pair of first-round selections represents a significant commitment; however, what are the prospects of either of those players attaining a level of proficiency equivalent to or surpassing Dobson, let alone both? If Montreal intends to establish itself as a Stanley Cup contender in the proximate future, Dobson presents a considerably more secure prospect than any potential draftee the Canadiens might secure in the mid-section of the first round. Grade: A-
New York Islanders
The Islanders are modifying their strategy subsequent to years of stagnation in mediocrity, and relinquishing Dobson following inconclusive contractual negotiations will engender substantial repercussions, potentially favorably or unfavorably. New York conserved financial resources and augmented its draft capital; however, this does not inherently signify that this was the optimal decision.
As previously addressed, Dobson is an exceptional defenseman endowed with considerable skill and stature, and he remains under the age of 26. The Islanders will virtually assuredly substitute him with the No. 1 overall selection, Matthew Schaefer, during the NHL Draft; however, a scenario existed wherein New York could have retained both players. Combining Dobson with Schaefer to spearhead the blue line, akin to the Canadiens’ strategy with Dobson and Hutson, could have cultivated a high-end combination for years to come.
This is not to assert that the Islanders were exploited in this transaction. Two first-round selections represent a respectable yield, and Heineman can augment the team’s forward depth. Ultimately, the perception of this trade among the Islanders and their supporters will hinge upon their utilization of picks Nos. 16 and 17. Should they trade upward and draft center James Hagens — and New York subsequently secures two foundational cornerstones within this draft class — the trade will be considered a resounding triumph. Conversely, if the prospects fail to materialize and Dobson prospers in Montreal, it will be regarded as a monumental failure. For the present, we shall adopt a position somewhere intermediate. Grade: C+
