Author: Dose

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Kent Hughes: “The Noah Dobson trade doesn’t change our salary structure”

Tonight, the Canadiens did not make a first-round selection. The club had two first-round picks this morning… but both were ultimately taken by the Islanders.

The reason? The two picks (and Emil Heineman) were traded to the Islanders in return for Noah Dobson.

We heard the defenseman speak earlier this evening, but we were still waiting for the GM to speak following the transaction. And late this evening, Kent Hughes spoke after the first round of the draft. Here’s what to take away from all this:

1. Hughes was asked what Dobson’s new contract meant for his salary structure. After all, he’s the first player in the HuGo era to sign a pact bigger than Nick Suzuki’s… even though, theoretically, it was Mathieu Darche who got Dobson to sign that pact (so he’d get the eighth year) before immediately trading him to Montreal.

And the Habs GM jokingly defended himself with this argument. After all, in the NHL’s official record, he still hasn’t signed another player to a contract higher than Suzuki’s, hehe.

On a more serious note, Hughes explained that this contract doesn’t actually change the structure for one simple reason: the other big contracts he had his players sign were pacts that followed the player’s entry-level contract.

Dobson, on the other hand, is on his third contract… and that’s not the same game. A third contract buys more years of autonomy than a second contract.

So you have to wonder whether Lane Hutson, for example, can forget about a world in which he’ll earn more than Nick Suzuki. That said, there’s also the reality of a skyrocketing salary cap that could unbalance this structure.

2. The GM was asked about his next objectives, and he admitted that he is still active in trying to find solutions at forward. We know that the right-handed defenseman position was a weakness, but the forward group also needs a boost.

Could Jordan Kyrou, who the Habs are interested in, be part of the solution?

3. Hughes is confident that despite the acquisition of Noah Dobson (and the fact that Lane Hutson is likely to return to the left), there will be enough ice time for his top three left-handed defensemen. After all, when a brigade relies on Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson, that’s three solid left-side defensemen capable of eating up minutes.

The GM even thinks it will be a good thing to be able to reduce the ice time of guys like Matheson and Hutson, who have played a lot of minutes this year.

Whether Matheson’s future lies in the city is still open to question, but the GM seems confident that it will be possible to get all these guys to cohabit. But let’s face it, he wasn’t going to say otherwise, you know.

4. The GM also talked about his acquisition du jour, Noah Dobson. He says he jumped at the chance to get his hands on such a special talent, and that he’s happy to have him in town. Not surprisingly, he expects him to play a big role.

That said, he also talked about Dobson’s 2024-25 season, a tougher one for the defenseman in which he collected just 39 points. However, the GM doesn’t seem to be too worried about it: he’s talked to a lot of people and is confident that the whole thing was mostly an anomaly.

For him, the real Noah Dobson is the player we saw a few years ago.

5. Finally, Hughes also noted that he thinks a guy like Dobson will help his club attract forwards to town. After all, he’ll lend credibility to the hockey operation in Montreal, and the idea of playing with such a talented defenseman who’s also good at moving the puck is something that might interest a forward.

If not this summer, then in the years to come… but clearly, the GM likes his chances of his new defenseman being a “talent magnet”.

Extension

Remember that tomorrow, the Habs will have nine picks to use in the final six rounds of the draft. And, inevitably, we have to wonder if all those picks will be used.

But the important thing today was the acquisition of Noah Dobson… and once again, Went Wughes can say mission accomplished.

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Noah Dobson: Mike Matheson told him about Montreal

Today’s big news in Montreal is the deal that brought Noah Dobson to town. The Canadiens, who gave him an eight-year contract(and took advantage of the fact that Dobson accepted less money to join the Habs), sent Emil Heineman along with the 16th and 17th picks to Long Island.

These picks were used to select Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson.

And tonight, the defenseman spoke to the media following the transaction. Here’s what to take away from all this:

1. Dobson was asked if Mike Matheson had told him about Montreal at the last Worlds, when the two guys were teammates. The defenseman replied that he hadn’t at that time… but that Matheson had spoken highly of the Montreal market in the past.

It’s a bit ironic when you consider that Matheson could be tased by the arrival of Dobson… but hey.

Dobson also mentioned Martin St-Louis as a factor that appealed to him in Montreal. He’s often said that he ‘s excited about what he’s seeing, and that he’s thrilled to be joining such a promising young group.

2. Dobson said that his initial wish was to stay on Long Island. That said, he eventually realized that he wouldn’t necessarily get along with the Isles… and that’s when he became interested in Montreal.

He says he didn’t specifically ask for a deal: rather, it was a mutual decision.

3. Dobson isn’t sure yet who he expects to play with in Montreal, but he has recognized what a special talent Lane Hutson is. He’s seen what Hutson is capable of this year, and he’s looking forward to playing on the same defensive brigade as him.

I feel like Kaiden Guhle is a much more logical partner for Dobson, but oh well.

4. For Noah Dobson, wearing the Canadiens jersey is an honor. He knows how passionate the fans in town are, and for him, the pressure that comes with the market is a privilege.

He knows how to strike the right chords.

5. Earlier in the evening, Dobson also chatted to TVA Sports, and was asked about his French. Dobson says he had a few basics when he played in the QMJHL, but he’s a little rusty today.

His goal, though, is to try and pick it up now that he’s in Montreal.

6. At the very end of his press briefing, Dobson revealed to the media that he’s getting married next Monday. It’s been a big week for him, and the next few days are likely to be pretty busy.

In fact, he’s set to receive an $11 million signing bonus next Tuesday… and that’s got to feel good, hehe.

Overtime

– That’s right.

– Sounds like a dream come true.

– The Habs thanked Emil Heineman for his services.

– Mathieu Darche confirms he tried to move up in the draft. He was really robbed by James Hagens.

– A third Québécois drafted in the first round.

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Noah Dobson accepted less money to play in Montreal

It’s now official: Noah Dobson is a member of the Montreal Canadiens. It took until 9:20 p.m. for the transaction, which was announced earlier this afternoon, to be officially ratified, but it’s finally done.

The club also made official the eight-year deal signed by Dobson.

This contract will pay Dobson $9.5 million per year. That’s a lot of money, but for a #1 defenseman with a cap that’s about to skyrocket, it’s not absurd either.

More importantly, it’s less than Dobson’s original demands, when he was negotiating with the Islanders for “more than $10 million” per year. But obviously, Dobson really wanted to play in Montreal… to the point where he accepted less money to come to the city.

Kevin Dubé (Journal de Québec), who spoke to Dobson’s agent, reports this.

Dobson’s agent, Québécois Olivier Fortier, noted how much the defenseman dreamed of playing in Montreal. For him, playing for the Canadiens is something special… and he really likes what the Habs are building.

So he agreed to leave money on the table to join a team he really wanted to join… and even Kent Hughes admits it made the difference in the matter.

It’s no secret that players all over the league are taking notice of what’s going on in Montreal. The club boasts a promising young core, a highly respected head coach and a fan base that, when the club is doing well, is second to none across the NHL.

And clearly, all this spoke to Dobson. Let’s see if he’s the first of many to leave money on the table to join what’s happening in Montreal.

Extension

In addition to Emil Heineman, the Islanders selected Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson with the picks obtained in the Dobson transaction.

Justin Carbonneau was still available… but in the end, he was drafted 19th overall by the St. Louis Blues.

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rank 16: Justin Carbonneau reportedly available for the Canadiens

This morning, the Canadiens had the 16th and 17th picks of the draft. And for many weeks, we’ve been talking about the various prospects that would be available at these ranks.

That said, in the afternoon, the Habs traded these two picks. They were sent to Long Island, along with Emil Heineman, to get their hands on Noah Dobson.

And we agree that the club is not unhappy: it certainly wouldn’t have found Dobson at, say, 16th.

However, it took several hours before the deal was made official… but while the Canucks made the 15th pick, the transaction has just been made official.

It’s been a long time coming, but now it’s official.

That said, it’s interesting to see who the players available at #16 would have been. And what we notice is that Québécois Justin Carbonneau, heavily linked to the Canadiens in recent weeks, is still available.

If the Habs hadn’t traded their picks, they could have gotten Carbonneau.

Victor Eklund, who was projected as a top-10 pick, would also have been available to the Canadiens. In fact, he was the 16th pick of the auction, and the Islanders must be happy to have seen him slip.

Kashawn Aitcheson, another name circulating in Montreal, was the Islanders’ 17th choice. So, in the end, the Islanders got Eklund, Aitcheson and Emil Heineman in return for Noah Dobson.

Eklund and Carbonneau would have been two great picks… but Noah Dobson isn’t half bad either.

Logan Hensler and Lynden Lakovic, two other names that have been the talk of the town, are also available.

Carter Bear, who was a popular choice, was selected 13th overall by the Red Wings. He would no longer have been available.

But in the end, with Dobson under contract for eight years, the Habs can’t be too sad to have missed their chance to tap into the prospect pool.

Extension

Incidentally, since the deal wasn’t official, the Canadiens posted a message saying the club was on the clock. But of course, it wasn’t… even though the dial went down long before the official announcement.

And speaking of the official announcement, Gary Bettman called Luguentz Dort to the podium. The plan, of course, was to have the Québécois announce the Habs’ pick… but in the end, he didn’t say a word, given that it was Bettman who announced the trade.

In short, Dort went out of his way… to press a big red button. Nothing less.

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James Hagens stolen from the Islanders

This afternoon, Noah Dobson was traded to the Canadiens. And in return, the Habs sent the 16th and 17th picks to the Islanders.

That said, these two picks had a specific purpose: to be used by the Islanders to try to climb into the top-10… and go after James Hagens.

We know he’s a Long Islander, and Islanders fans were hoping for a big coup from their team.

Hagens was drafted seventh overall… but the Boston Bruins drafted him instead.

So the Islanders missed out… and Happy Gilmore is to blame, hehe.

More details to come…

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Caleb Desnoyers selected by Mammoth in fourth place

On draft night, we were keeping a close eye on Québécois Caleb Desnoyers. He was one of the most promising prospects of the draft… and he was seen as a player who would be drafted in the top-5.

We know the Habs liked him… but for the first time since 2021, the club didn’t hold a top-5 pick.

And after the first three picks of the draft, we knew Desnoyers had a chance of being selected…

And that’s exactly what happened: Desnoyers was the Mammoth’s fourth-round pick.

Tony Finau, a professional golfer, announced the pick… and he butchered Desnoyers’ name quite a bit, as did the city of Moncton.

We know that the Canadiens would have liked to get Desnoyers, and we also know that this pick was available.

That said, without the 16th and 17th picks, it wasn’t going to be easy to move up, especially since the Habs don’t really have any established NHL players to trade to the Mammoth.

More details to come…

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Matthew Schaefer in tears after being drafted first overall by the Islanders

It’s draft night in the NHL… and for the first time since 2021, the Habs aren’t in the top-5. As a result, we’ve been following the big names a little less closely around town… but there are still some very nice prospects this year.

And at the top of the list, just about everyone expected the Islanders to select Matthew Schaefer. The defenseman was unanimously seen as the best prospect of the crop, and was the logical choice.

So it came as no surprise that the Islanders selected him at the very top of the draft tonight.

That said, there was also a touching moment, as Schaefer broke down in tears after being drafted. We know he lost his mother to a battle with cancer, and the mother of his host family in junior has also passed away in the last year.

He was understandably emotional. In fact, he kissed a ribbon on his jersey in tribute to the fight against cancer.

With the departure of Noah Dobson today, the Islanders need a new #1 defenseman of the future… and in Schaefer, they have a nice project. The defenseman is a special prospect, and has the potential to be a true blue-line general.

At least, that’s what Mathieu Darche and the Islanders are hoping.

In 2024-25, Schaefer was limited to 17 games in the OHL, but still collected 22 points. The 6-foot-2 left-handed defenseman also played two games in the CMJ, collecting two points.

It’s a safe bet that the Islanders won’t regret this choice.

We’ll now see if the club can move up in the top-10 to select Long Island native James Hagens. We know that local fans are really hoping to see Mathieu Darche pull this one off… and it would help the Noah Dobson trade go down a bit easier.

To be continued.

In Overtime

– Sam Bennett is in Florida to stay.

– Of note.

– New collective agreement: from 2026-27, all players making their NHL debut will be required to wear neck protection. Those who have played at least one game by the end of next season will not have to.

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“There is a very good chance that Sidney Crosby will play elsewhere

Sidney Crosby’s future has been the talk of the town for several months now. We know that the Penguins aren’t getting any younger… and we sense that the team is potentially ready to rebuild.

As a result, Crosby, now 38, may not have much chance of lifting the Stanley Cup if he stays in Pittsburgh.

And we know how much he loves to win…

That said, Crosby has to say he wants out before the Penguins will consider it… and tonight, Georges Laraque said he’d heard something new.

And this “news”… is that there’s a very good chance that Crosby will play elsewhere.

More details to come…

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Rumor mill: the Habs are looking for a veteran goalie (and Jake Allen is on the market)

At the start of the week, Frank Seravalli had a little chat about the goaltending market. In his article, he discussed the Habs… and wondered whether Jakub Dobes might not spend the season in Laval.

He’d have to share the net with Jacob Fowler, but that would allow the two guys to push each other.

That said, in such a scenario, we’d have to find another goaltender to back up Samuel Montembeault with the big club. Earlier today, Seravalli noted that the Habs are looking for a second veteran goaltender.

The feeling is growing that this second goaltender is not necessarily seen as a potential option in Montreal, but as a real target. The club really seems to want to go after a guy who has seen snow to back up their #1.

And that’s interesting, considering that on the independent market, there’s a goalie who fits the bill: Jake Allen.

Does that name ring a bell?

It’s worth noting that he’s probably the biggest name on the market, so it’s far from impossible that he’d sign a deal far more lucrative than what the Habs would offer him… but he knows the Montreal market well, after all, and was solid during his time in town.

To be continued.

Panthers interested in David Pastrnak

The Boston Bruins are in a strange position. The club has seen large chunks of its last core leave in recent years (or, in Brad Marchand’s case, in recent months), so it could be heading for a refurbishment.

On the other hand, guys like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman are still big pieces in town. But if the club ever decides to start afresh, these guys could bring in the big bucks.

That’s mainly the case for Pastrnak… and according to what’s circulating in the Czech Republic, the Florida Panthers are one of the teams interested in Pastrnak.

Yes, the two-time defending champions.

We know that Pastrnak has a no-movement clause, so he can refuse to leave Boston if he wants to. On the other side of the ocean, however, they don’t seem to think that would be a problem.

What could be a problem is the salary cap… especially if guys like Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand get new deals in Sunrise.

Marchand, for his part, could push to reunite with Pastrnak in Florida if he gets a new deal with the Panthers… and we’ll have to see what the Bruins could get in return for Pastrnak.

Because clearly, they’ve got the big stick… and they could get a huge windfall.

The future of Morgan Rielly

Earlier today, the Maple Leafs reached an agreement with John Tavares to keep him in town. He’ll spend the next four seasons in Toronto… and he signed a team-friendly contract.

No doubt he left some money on the table.

That said, we’re expecting a summer of changes in Toronto. Mitch Marner is expected to sign with a new team on the independent market… but Morgan Rielly is also a name that could leave (via trade), according to Nick Kypreos.

It may take time, in his case, but there are reportedly discussions about a possible deal involving him. We know that the defenseman is still under contract for the next five seasons at $7.5 million a year, but the quality of his play has diminished this season.

Could a team be tempted to try and revive him? The question arises.

What is clear, however, is that Toronto is in for a busy summer.

And the changes could obviously go beyond the Core Four.

Overtime

– What do you think?

– Nice read.

– Expansion: Austin, Texas is interested.

– To watch.

– Nikolaj Ehlers: the Hurricanes, Capitals and Blue Jackets are said to have him in their sights.

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The Canadiens are working on another deal for tonight

At the time of writing, the Canadiens no longer have a first-round pick for tonight’s draft.

But that doesn’t mean we won’t see Kent Hughes take the podium to announce a pick tonight.

And there’s a reason why.

I say that because, according to David Pagnotta, the Canadiens aren’t done for the day.

And still according to the informer… the Habs are working on another deal for tonight.

Marco D’Amico said much the same thing today on BPM Sports.

D’Amico revealed that the Canadiens would like to possibly move up to the first round… and that we shouldn’t expect the Habs to be super quiet tonight.

Remember that the last time the Canadiens didn’t draft in the first round was in 2008.

It’s been a long time… and maybe it could happen again tonight.

Even though we know it’s noisy…

All of which is to say that it could be a bumpy ride tonight, even if the Canadiens have already made a big splash today.

And in fact, it wouldn’t be a HUGE surprise, given that several journalists said this week that we should expect a lot of movement in the first round.

To see Kent Hughes trade some assets for another first-round pick, in addition to acquiring Noah Dobson today, would be… wow.

Very wow.

Overtime

– Really?

– Seen it all!

– Oh.

– Makes sense.

– Love the contract for the Sabres.

– Good point.