The Montreal Canadiens made a huge splash ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft’s first round on Friday.
The Habs acquired star defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for both of Montreal’s first-round picks this year (No. 16 & No. 17 overall) and left winger Emil Heineman. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to have the full details of the move.
Dobson will reportedly sign an eight-year, $76 million contract with Montreal as part of the massive blockbuster deal. The new contract will carry an average annual value of $9.5 million.
The extension will make Dobson the fifth-highest-paid defender in the NHL. For context, Alex Ovechkin’s previous two contracts with the Washington Capitals (five years and 13 years, respectively) also carried a $9.5 million AAV each.
Dobson appears to be a worthy investment for a Montreal team looking to take another step forward next year after their first-round playoff loss to the Capitals this past spring. The young rearguard had a career year in 2023-24, posting 70 points and becoming the first Islanders defenseman since Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin (1983-84) to record at least 60 assists in a single season.
The right-handed blueliner could pair nicely with 21-year-old Lane Hutson, who earned the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year for 2024-25. Hutson, a lefty, notched an impressive 66 points (six goals, 60 assists) in 82 games.
After dealing Dobson, the Islanders now have major resources to help kick off their roster rebuild. New general manager Mathieu Darche owns three selections within the Top 20 picks of Friday’s first round, including the first overall pick.
The Islanders are expected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the consensus top prospect, with the No. 1 overall pick after unexpectedly moving up 10 spots in the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5th. They also reportedly have interest in New York native James Hagens, who they could now try to move up and take with their bolstered draft capital.
