Canadiens Eye Noah Dobson as Potential Upgrade on Defense
The Montreal Canadiens surprised many with a playoff appearance this past season, but the rebuild is far from complete. To take the next step toward contention, Montreal may need to look beyond just adding prospects and young players—and one intriguing option could be defenseman Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders.
Rumors have circulated throughout the season suggesting the Islanders might be willing to part ways with Dobson. At 25 years old, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman has already played 388 NHL games, producing 230 points and 118 penalty minutes. His breakout came in 2023–24, when he recorded 70 points in 79 games—strong numbers for a defenseman. However, his production dipped this season to 39 points in 71 games.
Dobson’s three-year contract, which carried a $4 million cap hit, has now expired, and he’s represented by Wasserman Hockey after switching agencies earlier this year. One of his agents, Olivier Fortier, has ties to the Canadiens—he represents prospects Owen Beck and Joshua Roy, and is a former Canadiens draft pick himself.
While Dobson will be a restricted free agent, it’s unlikely Canadiens GM Kent Hughes would pursue an offer sheet. A trade is more realistic, especially since Hughes has dealt with the Islanders before. During his first draft as GM, he sent Alexander Romanov to New York in exchange for draft picks, which were then flipped to Chicago for Kirby Dach.
With two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) in the upcoming draft, the Canadiens have the flexibility to make a move for an NHL-ready player like Dobson. His style—a smooth-skating, offensively capable defenseman—fits the mold of players Hughes has pursued. Dobson averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game this season and could be a great partner for rising star Lane Hutson, especially with veteran David Savard expected to move on.
Whether Dobson would agree to a short-term “prove-it” deal similar to what Hughes negotiated with Dach and Alex Newhook remains to be seen. His agency change could indicate he’s seeking a longer-term contract. If he doesn’t sign long-term and no trade is made, an offer sheet could remain a fallback option, though rare.
As the Islanders transition to new management and consider their future, Dobson’s availability is a situation worth monitoring closely—especially for a Canadiens team looking to solidify its defensive core.
