Montreal Canadiens
BLOCKBUSTER NHL TRADE: The Canadiens Acquire Dobson

There was some very important breaking news on Friday, as the Montreal Canadiens have completed a trade to acquire New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson.
**Breaking News** šØ š°
Iām told the @NYIslanders are trading D Dobson to @CanadiensMTL .#HockeyX pic.twitter.com/Hxoe5Kr2BYā Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 27, 2025
We will have to wait a little longer to confirm the return, but we do know that Dobson has also signed an eight-year contract extension with the Canadiens which carries a $9.5 million annual average value.
Noah Dobson is being traded to Montreal and signing an 8x$9.5M extension with the Canadiens
ā Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025
Update: It appears the Canadiens have included both of their first-round picks in the trade (16th and 17th overall), and prospect Emil Heineman.
Return includes Emil Heineman and both of Montrealās first-round picks tonight.
Will be interesting to see what NYI GM Mathieu Darche does with them https://t.co/VUtanRytwN
ā Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025
Montreal Canadiens Angle
Even though the Montreal Canadiens qualified for the playoffs last season, it was clear they could use defensive upgrades, particularly on the right side of the blue line.
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Canadiens Trade For Dobson Smart Business
Dobson, one of the most interesting players available on the trade market, should help improve a few key areas, including puck retrievals, controlled exits, and chances off the rush, which are all considered areas of weakness at the moment. It’s worth noting that teams improve their odds of scoring whenever they manage to generate chances off the rush, and that prior to the Dobson trade the Canadiens were among the bottom-five teams in the league when it came to generating rush chances.
As a right-handed defenceman, Dobson also fills a need in the lineup, especially now that veteran David Savard has retired.
There was some concern as to his defensive prowess, but we have to keep in mind the situation for the Islanders last year was messy, and that Dobson’s overall underlying numbers are fantastic to say the least, both at 5v5 and the powerplay.
With Dobson in the mix, it should also lead to a little less pressure on Lane Hutson, as he was relied upon to wear a few too many hats during his rookie season. That’s not to say Hutson struggled, not by any means, but it’s never a bad idea to add a support system for the most dynamic player in the lineup.
Stay tuned for more analysis regarding the blockbuster Noah Dobson trade.
All Montreal Canadiens and Noah Dobson statistics 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Evolving Hockey.
Sounds like a great acquisition. Hope we didn’t give up too much for him.
If he slots PP1 or PP2 itās an upgrade. Could be a lethal PP this year with whatās already the Habs pp1
Not liking this deal. We just paid $9,5M for a guy we already have (even better) in Lane Hutson. We needed a “defensive” defenseman to compliment Lane on the top line – not the same thing. So now who plays actual D when these two are on the ice together?…because both are going to be playing like its an All-Star game…pts, pts, pts, but also give up a ton of goals. Need a guy more like Guhle on that top line to compliment Lane. So then play Dobson on a second line…for $9.5M a season?
And so now, how much $$$ does Lane get for his extension? $12M, now that he sees what the Habs just dolled out for Dobson.
This is crazy. Wow, what an overpay…for a guy we already have!
This, instead of a real 2nd line centre, which was needed more than Son of Lane. Now that both 1st rd picks are gone, looks like Band-Aid 38 yr old Claude G to the rescue!!!!!
Bro this dude is 6,4 215, is solid in his own end and his underlying numbers are fantastic even on a shitty team like NYI.
Yes we need a second line center but we also needed a RD badly, so either way we went a hole was being filled.
I see Dobson with Guhle, either 1st or 2nd pair and donāt agree with your opinion, other than wondering about Hutsonās contract.
Iām also wondering what this means for Matheson. Will he now be a 3rd pair or gone?
Great problem to have!
And as far as a 2C, too many teams have that need so weād over pay.
Itāll be interesting to see what Hughes does but Iām not convinced theyāre not ready to fall back on Dach since theyāre still really in a rebuild
We need quality over quantity and this trade personified managementās commitment to that. I like Emil’s toolkit as he was a very good bottom 6 forward. The 2 mid firsts are high potential but no sure thing so Iām excited by this deal.
If either of our 2 rhd prospects transition to the nhl this year, we start to get a glimpse of what the future looks like on the blue line. With Dobson and Demidov in the lineup and hopefully an improved Dach , Laine and Newhook this year, we become a solid playoff team.
Great job Hughes
yes – fills the RHD position. Dobson, Carrier(2nd pair) and hopefully one of Mailloux, Reinbacher or Engstrom on 3rd pair. Engstrom is a left hand shot but can play RD. Now have a “glut ” of LHD – Hutson, Gulhe, Matheson, Struble, Xhekaj.
Not sure the trades are over…the bummer is no point in tracking first round of draft. I could see them moving Matheson but not likely as they will want to have Gulhe play RD in the event the Laval players are not ready.
And losing Heinemen is not good – so maybe another trade to come for a F?
Jesus. Thatās too heavy of a price imo. Gulp!
I don’t feel like it was a big cost. The guys we were looking at for 16th and 17th overall were prospects with top-four potential, middle-six potential. It would take years for them to make it to that point, and that’s IF they actually make it there, since that’s their ceiling.
Picks are fun because there’s some mystery value there, but Dobson is a top-pairing defenceman now. That’s huge.
I was getting used to having a few guys that Iāve become invested in leading up to the draft, plus I really like Heineman. It just seems like a lot to pay for something we werenāt desperate for (with Mailloux and Reinbacher coming soon). I like Dobson a fair bit, so Iām not disappointed in adding him to the team though. Itāll be interesting to see what NYI do with our picks. Iām guessing they are going to do everything they can to also get Hagens after they take Schaefer. Darche gonna come into the league like heās BriseBois. š
How so? A 3rd line player and two picks you hope play in NHL 3-4 yrs from now for a 1st pairing RD.
Not jumping up and down on the $$ for the contract but this is elated to cap growth. Dobson can play the game.
I really like Heineman. I was hoping to use the picks to move up and grab McQueen. Nothing against Dobson. I like him. It just seems like a lot of assets to spend when we have Reinbacher and Mailloux coming soon.
We’ll see but I think the Habs got a HELLUVA deal and didn’t give up much at all!
I liked Heineman too, especially his physical element and scoring potential but he was never going to be more than a 3rd line player and you’re giving him up and mid first round draft picks when all the talking heads are saying there’s ab big dropoff after the top 10 is a no brainer!
Dobson with Carrier and possibly Reinbacher or Mailloux makes the Habs REALLY strong on the right side for years!
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Matheson. I really like him too but unless they move him to the right until Reinbacher/Mailloux are ready, where does he play?
GREAT problem to have! I can’t wait for camp to start!
Considering that most of the guys I was hoping to get were already gone by picks #16 & 17, the trade is growing on me. But like I said to several others, I like Dobson. I had nothing against him. If he gets back to a 70pt Dman, Iāll love the trade. If he is what he was last season, I wonāt be too thrilled. Itāll be interesting to see which guy weāre going to get.
Like the trade. We needed a right handed defenceman with strong skating and offensive potential. Big upgrade on Savard and gives Reinbacher time to develop. Dobson is also only 25. Draft picks are important but at that stage not guaranteed NHLers. We have pleantly of prospects who could be ready to move at Laval. We need a second line Center and I expect we will see more trades. Hoping Dach can finally perform at the Center position and stay healthy for a whole season.
I whish they would have sent Mailloux instead of Heineman. Really like this guy and Mailloux will be come at best a #6 if he ever make it to the NHL.
Dach’s in the last year of his contract. Prepare to be wowed.