The Montreal Canadiens made one of the biggest splashes this summer when they acquired defenceman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. The Islanders received the 16th and 17th overall picks, as well as forward Emil Heineman, in the deal. Dobson, 25, is already one of the NHL’s premier defencemen and hopes to add a new element to Montreal’s defensive group. But what can we expect from him in his first season after the trade? Let’s project Noah Dobson’s first season with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens and Noah Dobson
Where He Fits in the Lineup
Dobson immediately becomes the Canadiens best right-handed option. Montreal lacked on the right side with Alexandre Carrier being the only right-handed player on defence following David Savard’s retirement. It’s worth noting that David Reinbacher is also right-handed and will be vying for a roster spot. It’s unclear who Dobson will play with to begin the year. The most enticing option is to pair him with rookie sensation Lane Hutson. However, the Canadiens may opt to split them up for the majority of the season. He could also form a shutdown pair with either Kaiden Guhle or veteran Mike Matheson.
As far as special teams are concerned, Dobson will be playing on both the power-play and penalty kill. With Huston on the team, he will likely be relegated to the team’s second power-play unit unless the Habs run two defencemen on their top group. Still, having a player of his caliber to run the second wave is a luxury for Montreal. He will also be a regular on the penalty kill. While he hasn’t been known for his defensive game, it’s something that Dobson will need to add to his toolbox under head coach Martin St. Louis
Looking to Add Shutdown Ability
Dobson’s big 6”4 frame fits the mold of a typical shutdown defenceman. Montreal drafted David Reinbacher fifth overall in 2023 to be exactly that. However, with his development stalling, adding a player like Dobson makes a lot of sense. Dobson isn’t poor defensively, but it hasn’t been the trademark of his game throughout his career. He is known more for his offensive prowess and booming shot.
If Dobson can round out his defensive game, he could be exactly what Montreal needs moving forward. This would also make him the perfect partner for Lane Hutson. Martin St. Louis will certainly stress the importance of defensive responsibility in Dobson’s game. With many young players on the roster, he will be relied upon frequently in his own end and on the penalty kill.
Potential Offensive Outlook
Offence is the bread and butter of Noah Dobson’s game. He already has a season of over seventy points under his belt in 2023-24. However, his production took a major dip this past season, with his totals dropping to 39 points. It’s worth noting that he played under a weak Islanders offence this past year. In a more explosive Montreal group, Dobson should be able to find his offensive game once more. His booming shot makes him a threat on the power play, and he will give Patrik Laine another set-up man. Having another puck-mover of Dobson’s caliber makes Montreal that much more of a threat, as it will get the top forwards the puck on their stick more frequently.
It’s unlikely that we see him return to his seventy-point pace next season. His being on the second unit, coupled with increased defensive responsibility, should limit his totals. Hutson will be Montreal’s go-to option offensively moving forward. However, despite all this, it’s realistic to expect Noah Dobson to register between 50-60 points in his first season with the Montreal Canadiens.
This first season will not only be about rebounding from last year, but also about proving he belongs in Montreal and on the Canadian Olympic team.
Main Photo: Russell LaBounty- Imagn Images
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