The offseason before the 2025-26 NHL season is progressing, with major events like the NHL Entry Draft and free agency already completed, allowing teams some downtime before training camps begin. As part of a series analyzing the Montreal Canadiens’ roster, this article focuses on defenseman Noah Dobson, examining his previous season’s performance and what lies ahead. The Noah Dobson Canadiens 2025-26 Preview aims to assess whether he can return to the form that saw him reach a career-high 70 points two seasons ago.
In 2023-24, Dobson posted a remarkable 70 points, consisting of 10 goals and 60 assists, ranking him among the NHL’s top defensemen in points (seventh), assists (sixth), and power-play contributions (tenth with 24 points). However, his production took a noticeable decline in 2024-25. While his goal count remained steady at 10, his assists dropped dramatically to 29. Though his giveaways spiked to a career-high of 108, this was still fewer than those recorded by fellow defensemen Lane Hutson and Cale Makar. Given Dobson’s high average ice time of 23:16 per game—the second-highest on the New York Islanders—his puck possession explains some of the statistical swings.
The Islanders struggled offensively last season, ranking 27th in the league with just 222 goals scored, down from 245 in 2023-24. Their power-play efficiency also plummeted from 20.4% to a league-worst 12.6%, which aligned with Dobson’s steep drop in power-play points, falling from 24 to 12. These team-wide challenges significantly impacted Dobson’s overall offensive output despite his individual efforts.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for the 2025-26 Season
Montreal Canadiens management expects much more from Dobson in 2025-26, following a major trade that brought him to the team and an eight-year contract worth $9.5 million annually. This deal makes him the second-highest-paid player in franchise history, trailing only goaltender Carey Price. The trade came as a surprise to some, including New York Islanders’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who explained the necessity of the move as related to salary cap constraints.
“That one surprised me, but realistically, the team couldn’t keep both Romanov and Dobson. The salary cap forces tough decisions—it’s business. Dobson got a good deal in Montreal, and I wish him nothing but success.” — Ilya Sorokin
Though Dobson’s counting stats declined last season, advanced metrics tell a more nuanced story. Despite the Islanders’ offensive struggles, Dobson recorded a strong 55.9% Corsi For percentage and led his team with an expected goals percentage of 58.9%, which soared to 91.7% while on the power play. His created expected goals minus actual expected goals stat was 2.5, ranking him third among NHL defensemen behind only Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. This indicates Dobson produced more scoring chances than his actual goals reflected.
Dobson’s Role and Potential Impact on the Canadiens’ Defense
The Canadiens are relying on Dobson to replicate, if not surpass, his 70-point peak season, especially with a roster rich in offensive talent surrounding him this time. He fills a vital gap as a top-pairing, right-handed defenseman, a position Montreal has sought to solidify. Dobson will be entrusted with power-play responsibilities, although it remains unclear whether he will assume the first or second unit spot given Lane Hutson’s established role. His presence could also lead to adjustments in the Canadiens’ power-play structure as the coaching staff adapts.
Given his expected heavy ice time and offensive role, Dobson appears well-positioned to regain his previous productivity. If Montreal’s forwards sustain the strong scoring pace demonstrated in recent events like the 4 Nations Face-Off, Dobson might even exceed his career-high point total during the 2025-26 season, rejuvenating his trajectory and making a significant impact on the Canadiens’ blue line.