Canadiens Land Noah Dobson in Bold Trade Featuring Emil Heineman
So, here’s the big story everyone’s talking about — the Montreal Canadiens just pulled off a massive trade, acquiring elite defenceman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. If you’re a Habs fan, this is one of those moments where you stop and say, “Okay, we’re not rebuilding anymore — we’re reloading.”
Now, to get Dobson, Montreal gave up quite a bit: forward Emil Heineman and both the 16th and 17th overall picks in this year’s NHL Draft. That’s a significant package, no doubt. But when you look at the kind of player Dobson is, it starts to make a lot more sense.
Let’s break it down. Dobson, at just 25 years old, already has six full NHL seasons under his belt — all with the Islanders, who picked him 12th overall back in 2018. He’s a right-shot blueliner, 6-foot-4, about 200 pounds, and brings exactly the kind of offensive punch Montreal’s been missing on the back end. He’s not just another defenseman — this guy is a top-pairing, play-driving force.
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In the 2023-24 season, Dobson exploded for a career-best 70 points in 79 games, ranking second in scoring on the Islanders and seventh among all NHL defensemen. Even though his numbers dipped slightly last season to 39 points in 71 games, his underlying analytics stayed strong. Advanced metrics show he still led in expected goals and possession metrics compared to all Canadiens blueliners. Simply put — he drives play, creates offense, and logs heavy minutes (averaging over 23 minutes per game last season).
For Montreal, this is more than just a splashy move. With David Savard retired, they were down to just one NHL-level right-shot defenceman in Alexandre Carrier. While promising prospects like David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux are coming, there’s no guarantee they develop into Dobson’s level. So Kent Hughes made the call — pay the price now, and get a proven top-pair guy entering his prime.
Now, of course, there’s the contract situation. Dobson is a pending restricted free agent, reportedly seeking north of $10 million per year. That sounds hefty, but when you factor in the rising salary cap, it’s actually a smart investment for a cornerstone defenseman.
As for Emil Heineman, the forward headed to New York, it’s bittersweet. He was a promising piece for Montreal, with flashes of strong two-way play and offensive upside. But in a move like this, someone has to go — and Heineman, along with those two first-rounders, became the cost of doing big business.
This deal feels like a signal. The Canadiens aren’t just developing — they’re aiming to win. Coming off a playoff push that shocked a lot of people, this trade puts them even closer to becoming a consistent threat in the Eastern Conference. Noah Dobson next to Lane Hutson or Kaiden Guhle? That’s a pairing worth watching every night.
Montreal made a bold move, gave up real assets, and in return got a game-changer. For fans of the bleu-blanc-rouge, the future just got a whole lot more exciting.
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