The Montreal Canadiens are acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders and signing him to an eight-year contract worth $9.5 million annually.
The Canadiens' massive splash comes hours before the NHL draft. Montreal had two first-round picks entering Friday at 16th and 17th overall. Both those picks go to the Islanders, which also have the No. 1 selection in the draft. The Islanders also receive Emil Heineman, a 23-year-old left winger who had 18 points in 62 games this past season.
ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported the trade, while Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the contract extension. Friedman and The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner are among those who reported the trade return.
Dobson, 25, was a pending RFA with arbitration rights. The right-handed blueliner had 39 points in 71 games this past season, a drop from years past. Dobson had a career-high 70 points in 2023-24, 49 points in 2022-23 and 51 points in 2021-22.
Dobson will be the second defenseman under contract past 2030 for the Canadiens. Kaiden Guhle is the other with an average annual value of $5.55 million. Their defense corps also includes Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, who's left-handed.
As for the Islanders, they're projected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall. But James Hagens grew up on Long Island and is projected to go in the top five. They now have two mid-range first-rounders to potentially use as trade bait.
More to come as the teams have yet to announce the trade as of 3 p.m. ET.
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