Islanders Narrow Noah Dobson Trade To Canadiens, Blue Jackets

The New York Islanders are poised to trade their top defenseman Noah Dobson amid contract extension impasses and salary cap pressures, with the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets emerging as the primary suitors. Dobson, a 25-year-old right-shot defenseman and former 12th overall pick, is reportedly seeking a long-term deal with a cap hit of at least $9.5 million, a figure that complicates negotiations. While the Islanders initially explored an extension, they now appear focused on securing significant assets in return, likely involving first-round draft picks, to offset the loss and reshape their roster. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets are seen as favorable destinations for Dobson, both teams on upward trajectories aiming to bolster their defensive corps. The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators have also shown interest, but Dobson reportedly prefers not to join Western Conference teams, making a sign-and-trade scenario probable for any deal involving a long-term contract. Islanders' management faces pressure to finalize the trade quickly, as the draft day deadline looms and their leverage diminishes, raising concerns about the team's competitiveness in the upcoming season without Dobson.