Noah Dobson, after six seasons with the New York Islanders, was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June and promptly signed an eight-year contract valued at $76 million. Seen as a crucial addition to the Noah Dobson Canadiens defensive core, his arrival is expected to significantly strengthen Montreal’s defense.
Impact of Dobson’s Arrival on Montreal’s Defensive Lineup
NHL analyst Stu Cowan discussed Dobson’s move to the Canadiens on August 8 during The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, predicting that Dobson will log heavy minutes while easing the workload for other defensemen. Cowan noted that Dobson’s presence would reduce ice time for established players like Mike Matheson, improving the overall defensive balance.
“I mean, it’s (Dobson’s addition) gonna reduce the ice time for Mike Matheson a little bit,” Cowan said. “It’s gonna reduce the ice time for everybody, right? He’s gonna eat up a lot of minutes. He’s gonna make it a little bit easier on the other guys he’s playing with.”
—Stu Cowan, NHL Analyst
Cowan expects Dobson to form Montreal’s top defensive pairing alongside young defenseman Kaiden Guhle. He described their combination as potentially very effective, highlighting their size and offensive capabilities as key advantages for a long-term partnership.
“I expect him to start off with the number one defense pairing, probably with Kaiden Guhle,” Cowan added. “I think that’s a really, could be a really, really effective pair for many years to come. Both guys have size. Both guys have some offensive ability.”
—Stu Cowan, NHL Analyst
Guhle’s physical and aggressive style complements Dobson’s skill set, making their pairing a balanced threat on both ends of the ice. The arrival of Dobson is also expected to shift Matheson and Lane Hutson to the second pairing, providing Montreal with two strong defensive units.
“That makes it a little bit easier for Matheson and Hutson, which I naturally see as the second pairing,” Cowan said.
—Stu Cowan, NHL Analyst
Dobson’s Skill Set and Statistical Highlights
Last season, Dobson contributed 39 points over 71 games, while his career-best was a 70-point season in 2023-24. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 200 pounds, Dobson combines size, skating ability, and offensive skill—qualities that have made him a valuable defenseman throughout his NHL tenure.
Expectations for Dobson’s Role in Playoffs and Team Dynamics
During the podcast, Cowan expressed enthusiasm for seeing Dobson’s influence in Montreal’s postseason efforts. He regarded Dobson’s previous season as below his usual standards but emphasized that the defenseman’s talent remains evident, especially compared to peers like Lane Hutson.
“Dobson, I’m really looking forward to seeing him.” Cowan said. “The year before, he had 60 assists. He had as many assists as Lane Hutson this year. The skills is definitely there., Bigger body, right? So if the teams do get into the playoffs, that’s going to help them.”
—Stu Cowan, NHL Analyst
“Having another big body on the blue line, take a little bit pressure off Lane Hutson in that regard,” he added.
—Stu Cowan, NHL Analyst
Montreal closed last season with a 40-31-11 record but exited the playoffs in the first round against the Washington Capitals. With the retirement of veteran David Savard, Dobson is expected to fill that defensive void and contribute across all situations, including power-play minutes.
Looking Ahead: Dobson’s Potential Influence on the Canadiens
Noah Dobson’s arrival marks a significant step forward for the Canadiens as they aim to build a solid defensive core capable of supporting both regular season ambitions and deeper playoff runs. His strong pairing with Kaiden Guhle and the resulting depth from the subsequent reassignments within the defense should provide Montreal with increased stability and offensive threat from the blue line. As the new season unfolds, Dobson’s heavy ice time and versatile skill set will likely be key factors in shaping the team’s defensive performance and overall success.