The New York Islanders are expected to trade Noah Dobson sooner rather than later.
Social media on Friday morning is filled with NHL reporters suggesting the same thing, that Dobson may be moved by the end of the day, because an first-round pick in Friday's draft could be in play as part of the return.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston has narrowed the sweepstakes down to two teams. He writes that either the Montreal Canadiens or St. Louis Blues will end up with Dobson.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound righty is just 25 years old. He was the 12th overall pick in 2018 by the Islanders.
He's coming off a decent season, 39 points in 71 games.
But in 2023-24, Dobson showed his potency with 10 goals and 60 assists in 79 games. He also has seasons of 51 and 49 points in the two years prior to that.
Dobson is also a strong shot blocker, in the triple-digits each of the past four seasons.
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Whichever team gets Dobson is hoping he can lead their defensive unit for years to come.
The Islanders have been rumored to be seeking a second pick in the top-five, which would probably require multiple layers of maneuvering. But in general, they're just looking to reset at some of their key spots and build from the ground up.
For the Canadiens and Blues, the chance to get Dobson is a chance to take a big step forward for the future of their franchise.
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