A big, bold move, if it comes to fruition.
Noah Dobson appears to be headed out from the Islanders via trade if widespread Draft Day reporting comes true. The leading candidates appear to be the Columbus Blue Jackets or Montreal Canadiens, but so many reporters are weighing in on this likelihood that the final destination could still surprise people. (Earlier in the week, Twitter was filled with B.S. that Dobson was bound for the St. Louis Blues.)
As an RFA whose UFA years are just around the corner, Dobson, 25, is due a large payday in a rising cap. But his up-and-down progress probably gives new GM Mathieu Darche pause about paying him like a top-tier, #1 defenseman, especially with top draft prospect Matthew Schafer available at first overall and the Islanders having other needs.
The Athletic, one of the outlets saying that the bidding comes down to Montreal or Columbus — and that a trade would include a long-term contract extension — sums it up like this:
The Islanders explored a potential extension with Dobson before gauging the trade market. There was considerable interest, but only a limited number of clubs were able to meet the significant acquisition cost the Islanders are seeking in a trade while also being able to sign the player to a long-term contract to complete the transaction.
Arthur Staple, formerly of the Athletic and Newsday:
I’m as out of the loop as it gets this draft/trade/FA szn, but it appears pretty certain that Noah Dobson has played his last game with the #Isles.
Trade should be coming soon.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNHL) June 27, 2025
On Noah Dobson: have heard this morning his preference is to stay in the Eastern Conference.
So keep that in mind as talks around him continue
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2025
The Habs and Blue Jackets each have picks in the middle of today’s first round. It should take more than that to get Dobson, but maybe Darche is working on something more to move for a second pick higher up in the first round, or there are other pieces that will help him rebalance the Isles’ positional assets. The “significant acquisition cost” phrase at least hints that this could be a good haul.
Either way, moving on from Dobson is a bold, decisive move for the first-time GM that will be a big part of defining his tenure.