NHL Bombshell: Islanders Send Noah Dobson to Montreal
The New York Islanders surprised the hockey world by trading restricted free agent defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens. This move could have a significant impact on the upcoming NHL draft.
In the agreement, the Islanders acquire forward Emil Heineman and the number 16 and 17 picks in the first round of the draft.
Dobson, before the transfer, agreed to an eight-year contract for 76 million dollars.
The Islanders, who hold the first overall pick after winning the draft lottery in April, are expected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer from OHL Erie.
The Islanders were looking to add another high pick to potentially draft James Hagens, the Boston College center, a Long Island native.
Dobson, 25, recorded 39 points in 71 games last season for the Islanders.
His new contract, with an impact of $9.5 million on the salary cap, puts him on par with defensemen of the caliber of Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, placing him among the top five in the NHL for defensemen.
The incorporation of Dobson marks an important step for the Canadiens, who recently returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Heineman, 23, has been part of multiple high-profile trades in the NHL. He was selected in the 2020 draft by the Florida Panthers and subsequently traded to the Calgary Flames.
Heineman has participated in 66 NHL games, including 62 games last season with Montreal, where he scored 10 goals and 8 assists.
