Islanders Trade Noah Dobson Ahead of Draft

LOS ANGELES – For a good part of the year, Noah Dobson’s contract has been a major concern for the Islanders.

In fact, the apparent resolution was to let go of Dobson.

He has now been traded to Montreal ahead of the first round of Friday’s draft. This trade package includes the 16th and 17th overall picks, along with Swedish fourth-liner Emil Heinemann.

Columbus was also reportedly in active discussions with the Islanders, as noted by Chris Johnston from Athletic.

The deal is said to feature an eight-year extension from the Canadiens, presenting a $9.5 million AAV for Dobson.

This move allows the Islanders to utilize their draft picks to potentially move into the top 10, aiming for players like James Hagens from Long Island, alongside Matthew Schaefer, who is projected to be the first overall pick.

Just a week prior, the stalled contract negotiations had garnered some public attention, leading to uncomfortable comments from Matthew Dersch, particularly regarding the league’s standards for top defensemen during the previous cap structure.

Dersch had consistently expressed a desire to re-sign Dobson, but by Thursday, it appeared trading him was his only viable option.

This situation does raise questions about Dobson’s long-term interest in remaining with the Islanders, especially since he had a disappointing season with just 39 points, becoming a target for fan frustration.

However, trading a 25-year-old defenseman during a 70-point season is quite the gamble for Dersch, despite the uncomfortable position he finds himself in regarding Dobson’s future.

It also prompts speculation about whether the Islanders are genuinely prioritizing their competitiveness this season or if they may be considering some form of restructuring, even though Dersch denied such intentions during his initial press conference.

While the Islanders are interested in securing talent like Schaefer, who may also involve moving back for Hagens, it’s uncertain that Schaefer will be ready for the NHL next season.

There’s a noticeable gap on the right side of the Islanders’ defense. Ryan Prock and Scott Mayfield remain the only right-handed defensemen with NHL experience, though Adam Boqvist can play in that position.

With the door seemingly closed for Dobson’s return, Tony DeAnguero might emerge as a budget-friendly option to fill the role Dobson had previously occupied.

But the pressing question is whether the Islanders will trade to secure both a draft pick and potentially land Hagens.

Teams like the Blackhawks, Mammoths, and Bruins are contending for spots in the top 10.

Hagens, who hails from Hauppauge and has a strong connection to Islanders’ fans, was once viewed as a potential No. 1 pick. Currently, many experts have him ranked 7th, but recent discussions hint he could slide further down the draft board.