A significant trade occurred on Friday, involving defenseman Noah Dobson moving from the New York Islanders to the Montreal Canadiens. This transaction suggests both franchises are pursuing distinct future directions.
Montreal acquired Dobson after he had reportedly signed an eight-year contract extension with the Islanders worth $9.5 million annually just before the trade. In return, New York received forward Emil Heineman along with Montreal`s two first-round selections in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, picks 16 and 17.
This analysis assesses how both front offices handled the trade and its potential implications for their respective teams going forward.
Montreal Canadiens
Trade Grade: A
Securing a 25-year-old, right-handed, top-pairing defenseman known for his puck-moving ability, standing 6-foot-4 and capable of playing in all game situations, represents a strategic move any general manager should prioritize.
However, such an acquisition comes at a significant cost, which is precisely what makes Canadiens GM Kent Hughes` decision particularly impactful. It sends a clear message about the team`s aspirations.
Specifically, it signals that the Canadiens are seriously aiming for their 2025 playoff appearance to become a regular occurrence, with the ultimate goal of contending for a Stanley Cup in the near future.
The term “future” is central to understanding Montreal`s motivation in this trade. While possessing two first-round picks benefits teams in a rebuild by allowing them to build for a stronger future, teams on the cusp of contention or already there often use them as trade assets to acquire players who can contribute immediately.
Hughes opted for the latter strategy, providing the Canadiens with what is shaping up to be one of the league`s most promising young defensive groups.
Dobson, who has scored at least 10 goals in each of the past four seasons, joins a youthful defensive corps that includes the recent Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, and Jayden Struble. The organization also boasts former first-round picks Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher in their system.
This collection comprises six defensemen under the age of 25. Four were first-round selections, while the others (including Hutson) were taken in the second round. This depth presents a positive challenge for the Canadiens, potentially leading to significant collective achievements over time.
Nevertheless, Hughes faces an immediate challenge now that Dobson is under contract: the Canadiens are currently $3.394 million over the salary cap, according to PuckPedia, and have seven defensemen signed or under team control for the 2025-26 season.
This situation necessitates that Hughes decide which defenseman the Canadiens will move to create cap space, while retaining a core group capable of supporting their playoff push. Veteran Mike Matheson has one year remaining on his contract at $4.88 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent, while Alexandre Carrier has two years left at $3.75 million annually before hitting the open market.
Resolving the cap situation sooner rather than later will not only grant the Canadiens more financial flexibility for potential future moves but is also crucial as they need to sign new deals with restricted free agents Struble and Jakub Dobes.
New York Islanders
Trade Grade: A
New Islanders GM Mathieu Darche, having spent six seasons in the Tampa Bay Lightning`s front office, understands the value of building a sustainable winner through the draft. This principle is particularly critical for a team in the Islanders` position during Darche`s initial offseason.
General managers leading non-contending teams must be honest about their franchise`s trajectory. While Dobson could potentially have been part of the Islanders` long-term plans, there`s also merit in recognizing a player`s maximum trade value and determining that value is best realized by the return Darche obtained.
The assets Darche received for a top-pairing defenseman like Dobson are expected to significantly influence the Islanders` composition for the next decade or longer.
Holding the No. 1 overall pick was already a starting point for building the future – it`s widely anticipated they will select talented defenseman Matthew Schaefer. By adding two more first-round picks, Darche now possesses even greater flexibility.
Darche and his staff might choose to keep all three first-round picks (their own plus the two from Montreal) and draft three players. This approach would help address the team`s need for talent in their system, which, despite adding 2024 first-rounder Cole Eiserman, has lacked high-end draft capital recently. The Islanders notably did not have a first-round pick in four draft classes between 2018 and 2023 (specifically 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
Alternatively, Darche could look to package one or both of the newly acquired picks in another trade, aiming to make a move that he and his staff believe could position them for even greater long-term success.
While the focus is on the future, the present situation post-Dobson also requires attention. The Islanders now have five defensemen under contract, with seven under team control including restricted free agents Scott Perunovich and Alexander Romanov. Tony DeAngelo and Mike Reilly from the 2024-25 roster are unrestricted free agents.
The Islanders have $20.934 million in salary cap space, according to PuckPedia. This substantial cap room can be used to address their defensive needs as well as other roster requirements this summer. This includes re-signing Heineman, who is a restricted free agent after scoring 10 goals and 18 points in 62 games during his first full NHL season.
