As the New York Islanders continue working through trade scenarios involving free-agent defenseman Noah Dobson, league sources said\u00a0they are down to two potential suitors: the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n
Dobson wishes to join a team on the upswing toward contention, and both of those landing spots are viewed as favorable.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dobson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The St. Louis Blues were among the teams previously reported to be engaged in Dobson trade talks.<\/p>\n
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