Strategic Movement in the NHL: Islanders Send Noah Dobson to Canadiens
The New York Islanders have finalized a trade that could reshape the landscape of the upcoming NHL draft. Restricted free agent defenseman Noah Dobson has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens, according to provided information.
In the agreement, the Islanders acquire forward Emil Heineman, along with the number 16 and 17 selections of the first round of the draft. This move was finalized through a sign-and-trade deal for Dobson, who previously agreed to an eight-year, $76 million contract.
On Friday night, the Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer from OHL Erie.
Dobson, 25, accumulated 39 points in 71 games last season with the Islanders, with a minus-16 rating. This figure represents a decrease compared to his outstanding 2023-24 season, where he reached 70 points in 79 games, earning him eighth place in the Norris Trophy voting, awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman.
However, contract negotiations between Dobson and the Islanders did not go well. His new contract, worth $9.5 million, puts him in fifth place among the highest-paid defensemen in the NHL, tying Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers.
The incorporation of Dobson reinforces the Canadiens’ rebuilding strategy, who returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in four seasons, although they were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in five games. Dobson joins Lane Hutson, 21-year-old rookie of the year, on Montreal’s defense.
This is the third time that 23-year-old Heineman has been involved in a high-profile NHL trade. After being selected 43rd overall in the 2020 draft by the Florida Panthers, he was traded to the Calgary Flames in 2021. Heineman was later traded by Calgary to Montreal in 2022.
Heineman has participated in 66 NHL games, including 62 games last season with Montreal, where he recorded 10 goals and 8 assists, with an average playing time of 11:23 per game. Currently, he is a restricted free agent.
