Montreal is on the rise, with their first stop in the playoffs since 2021. And Dobson will anchor the blue line with Hutson for years, which is a formidable pairing. That said, giving up two first-rounders and a former second-round forward is A LOT, plus the giant extension.

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly bringing in one of the NHL's most productive right-shot defensemen ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Instead, Darche’s first trade as Islanders’ GM on Friday was to send Dobson, a 25-year-old right-shooting defenseman who had 70 points two seasons ago before slumping to 10 goals and 29 assists in 71 games last season, to the Canadiens, according to a league source. What assets were returning to the Islanders was not immediately announced.