As the New York Islanders continue working through trade scenarios involving free-agent defenseman Noah Dobson, league sources said they are down to two potential suitors: the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dobson wishes to join a team on the upswing toward contention, and both of those landing spots are viewed as favorable.
The 25-year-old right-shot defenseman is expected to sign a contract extension as part of a trade from the Islanders. His next deal will carry a cap hit of at least $9.5 million, according to league sources.
The Islanders explored a potential extension with Dobson before gauging the trade market. Dobson drew considerable interest, but only a limited number of clubs were able to meet the significant acquisition cost the Islanders are seeking in a trade, while also being able to sign him to a long-term contract to complete the transaction.
Dobson’s previous contract carried a $4 million cap hit and saw him produce among the top-10 scorers for NHL defensemen across the past four seasons.
He has spent his entire career on Long Island after the Islanders drafted him with the 12th pick in 2018. Dobson had a career-best 70 points for the team two years ago and finished last season with 10 goals and 39 points in 71 games.
The Canadiens are coming off a season in which they qualified for the playoffs and lost to the Washington Capitals in the first round. The Blue Jackets saw a big year-over-year jump and finished with 89 points, two shy of qualifying for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The St. Louis Blues were among the teams previously reported to be engaged in Dobson trade talks.
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