The Montreal Canadiens made a major splash to kick off the offseason, acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in a sign-and-trade deal. Dobson immediately signed an eight-year, $76 million contract with Montreal, carrying a $9.5 million average annual value.
In exchange, the Canadiens sent forward Emil Heineman and their first-round picks, Nos. 16 and 17, to New York. The move signals a clear shift in Montreal’s approach, focusing on a young, dynamic blue line and aiming to return to playoff contention.
Jamie Rivers Responds to Fan Criticism of Canadiens’ Noah Dobson Deal
After the Dobson contract was announced, former NHL defenseman Jamie Rivers jumped into the conversation on X, responding to a fan who criticized the deal compared to younger players on entry-level contracts (ELC).
Rivers shot back: “39 points for Dobson last year and now making 9.5M. I guarantee [Logan] Mailoux gets 30 + points next year while only being 22 and on his ELC paying him almost nothing. sorry,but i don’t see the problem.”
The response quickly gained traction, with many fans supporting Rivers’ straightforward perspective on the move.
39 points for Dobson last year and now making 9.5M. I guarantee Mailoux gets 30 + points next year while only being 22 and on his ELC paying him almost nothing. sorry,but i don’t see the problem.
— Jamie Rivers (@JamieRivers08) July 1, 2025
Rivers is not alone in supporting the move. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes emphasized that Dobson’s style of play fits well with the team’s system and direction.
“He defends with his feet and with his reach and range, and I think if you look at how we play and how we try to deny pucks a lot and deny ice … his ability to retrieve pucks and kind of spring the offense for us was a big piece,” Hughes said via NHL.com. “We see how Lane (Hutson) has done that for us this year, and we’re confident we did a lot of homework on him.”
With David Savard set to retire, that pairing becomes even more critical. Dobson’s best season came in 2023-24, when he posted 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists). He followed up with a strong 39-point campaign (10-29) last season, showing his consistency as a puck-moving defenseman. His skating and reach fit the modern NHL style, and he is expected to play a key role on Montreal’s right side.
Off the ice, Dobson brings a personal story to Montreal. He chose to wear No. 53 to honor his late grandfather, a number that also connects to his junior hockey days and marks a new chapter with the Canadiens.
Noah Dobson to return to his #53 with the Montreal Canadiens. https://t.co/aoVpX31olj
— Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) July 1, 2025
Meanwhile, the Islanders gain flexibility and future assets. They used picks No. 16 and 17 to select Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. Former Canadien Alexander Romanov signed a long-term deal with New York, in part thanks to the cap space freed up by the Dobson move. The Islanders are clearly focused on building around a younger core.
Dobson said the move to Montreal came after contract talks with the Islanders stalled. He admitted, “Once conversations started … we couldn’t find common ground. At some point, we felt best to go in different directions.” Montreal offered the long-term security he wanted and the chance to play in a top hockey market.
Dobson’s Impact and Montreal’s Blue Line Future
The Canadiens are counting on Dobson to anchor their defense through his prime years. He brings an offensive edge, with 230 points in 388 NHL games, and has developed into one of the league’s top puck-moving defensemen since being drafted 12th overall in 2018.
Montreal is betting on Dobson’s ability to drive play from the blue line. His reach and defensive instincts fit the identity that Hughes is building. Alongside young talents like Hutson, Dobson gives the Canadiens a modern, dynamic right-side pairing. The long-term deal provides stability for the franchise and a foundation for a return to playoff contention.
The Islanders made the trade after failing to reach a contract extension with Dobson. With two first-round picks and a young winger in Heineman coming back, New York is accelerating its rebuild. For Montreal, trading picks for an established defenseman is a sign that the team is focused on both immediate improvement and long-term growth.
Time will tell if the move pays off, but for now, Rivers is not worried. In a market like Montreal, that confidence could go a long way.
