Noah Dobson Has Transformed the Canadiens' Defence
Since being acquired by the Montreal Canadiens on June 27, 2025, Noah Dobson has made a significant impact on the team's defensive performance. The Canadiens obtained the 25-year-old defenseman from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Emil Heineman and two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly after the trade, Dobson signed an eight-year contract with the Canadiens.
Dobson's arrival has addressed a key need for the Canadiens, who were looking to add a right-handed, top-pairing defenseman. Standing at 6'4" and weighing 200 lbs, Dobson brings size, skill, and a right-handed shot to the Canadiens' blue line. His presence immediately solidifies the team’s defensive depth and provides more options on the power play. Prior to Dobson's acquisition, Alexandre Carrier was the only right-shot defenseman on the Canadiens' NHL roster.
In his last season with the Islanders, Dobson recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 71 games. The preceding season, 2023-24, saw him achieve a career-best 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists), making him the first Islanders defenseman since Denis Potvin in 1983-84 to reach the 60-assist mark. Across seven seasons in the NHL, Dobson has accumulated 51 goals and 191 assists for a total of 242 points in 407 games.
While some observers questioned Dobson's defensive reliability prior to the trade, underlying metrics suggest that he has been steadily improving in his own zone. In the 2024-25 season, Dobson demonstrated better-than-average performance in shot attempts allowed, scoring chances allowed, shots allowed, and high-danger chances allowed. These improvements in defensive metrics suggest that Dobson is developing into a more complete, 200-foot player.
Early in the 2025-26 season, Dobson has been paired with veteran defenseman Mike Matheson, forming a "quietly effective" top pairing for the Canadiens. While the Canadiens have experienced some team-wide struggles, their top defensive pairing has remained a consistent strength. Some analysts have suggested that Kaiden Guhle would be an ideal defensive partner for Dobson, citing Guhle's strong defensive play as a complement to Dobson's offensive capabilities.
The acquisition of Noah Dobson signifies a shift in the Montreal Canadiens' approach, transitioning from a rebuilding phase to a more competitive mindset. By adding a top-pairing defenseman in his prime, General Manager Kent Hughes has signaled that the Canadiens are serious about contending for a Stanley Cup. Dobson's arrival has not only improved the team's defensive capabilities but has also instilled a new sense of optimism and excitement among Canadiens fans.
