The 2025 NHL offseason saw limited activity in terms of major trades, yet the Montreal Canadiens made a significant move by acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. This Noah Dobson Canadiens trade stands out as one of the season’s most talked-about deals. Dobson, a promising young defenseman, signed an eight-year contract worth $76 million, making him one of the highest-paid defenders in the league.

While many analysts praised Montreal’s acquisition, former Islanders teammate Cal Clutterbuck has voiced his opinion on whether the price paid was justified. His insights shed light on how Dobson’s value was perceived from within the Islanders camp before the trade was finalized.

Insights from Dobson’s Former Teammate on His Market Value

Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 NHL season, Noah Dobson became a restricted free agent (RFA), attracting interest from multiple teams seeking to strengthen their blue line. Ultimately, the Canadiens secured Dobson with a deal averaging $9.5 million per year. Despite this lucrative contract, Clutterbuck believed Dobson’s value was somewhat lower prior to negotiations concluding.

Clutterbuck shared his thoughts during an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast, where he joined hosts Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette, and Mike Grinnell. When discussing Dobson’s ideal contract, Clutterbuck stated,

“Well, I think I I think from a general manager’s perspective, there’s a number. I think from Noah’s perspective, there’s a number.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

He suggested that the final figure would likely fall somewhere between these two viewpoints and estimated it might settle around $7 million annually. Clutterbuck elaborated,

“The number that always ends up happening is the number in the middle. So, the number in the middle is probably, I don’t know. I mean, I couldn’t even say it’s probably in the sevens.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

Clutterbuck on Dobson’s Strengths and Areas for Growth

Clutterbuck recognized Dobson’s youth and skill, noting that at 23 years old, Dobson has considerable potential. He said,

“And, you know, it’s probably a term because he’s like 23 years old. Um, I think he’s capable of doing whatever he wants to do.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

However, he raised some concerns regarding Dobson’s defensive consistency, especially when facing elite opponents. Clutterbuck pointed out,

“The one thing I might have been a little gun-shy with Noah is his ability to defend hard and just be strong enough to contain the best players on the other team.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

He highlighted specific challenges Dobson faced, such as defending against players like Aleksander Barkov near the goal line. Clutterbuck acknowledged that while Dobson showed occasional flashes of strong defense, his performance was not yet steady, stating,

“And he showed flashes of it, but he wasn’t consistent with it.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

Despite this, Clutterbuck noted improvements in Dobson’s approach, especially in shifting his mindset:

“And I think this year he took the mentality of, like, he did sacrifice a lot of his offensive side to go out and show people that he could be that guy, and he needed to be that guy.”

—Cal Clutterbuck, Winger

This willingness to prioritize defense over offense signaled growth that could increase Dobson’s long-term value.

The Possible Impact of Dobson’s Signing for the Canadiens

Although Clutterbuck initially saw a value closer to $7 million annually for Dobson’s deal, the Canadiens committed to an eight-year, $76 million contract, reflecting their confidence in his abilities and potential role in their defense. Montreal’s front office appears convinced that Dobson will be a cornerstone on their blue line as they aim to elevate their performance.

This contract secures Montreal one of the league’s key defensive players for the foreseeable future, fitting into their strategy to build a strong roster around talented young athletes.

Dobson’s transition to Montreal is closely watched by critics and fans alike, with many expecting him to improve the Canadiens’ defensive stability while contributing to their high-powered offense. Former teammates like Clutterbuck provide valuable context on his strengths and developmental trajectory, offering a nuanced view beyond the headline contract numbers.