In this draft window, the Habs accelerated their ascent to a contention window

June. 29, 2025

We should not be surprised. HuGo has been active in every draft window since their arrival, beyond simply drafting at their designated spots, to improve the Montreal Canadiens. But their Friday trade to acquire Noah Dobson, and then sign him to a contract that covers his entire prime years, was a step beyond their success to date.

The trade

Montreal sent their two first round picks, 16 and 17 overall, along with Emil Heineman, to the New York Islanders for Dobson. It hurt to lose an NHL-proven depth forward whose game was easy to appreciate. It hurt some more when we saw who was still on the board at 16 and 17. But only the truly obtuse would miss what magic Kent Hughes had pulled off to land Dobson without giving up a young right-shot defensemen.

The contract

The trade was contingent upon an extension, which was announced by hockey insiders hours before the official announcement. An eight-year contract that came with an AAV of $9.5 million is enough to buy Dobson’s entire prime. The icing on the cake? He took less to play in Montreal.

Let’s assume Hutson signs for essentially the same as Dobson, and then David Reinbacher signs for Kaiden Guhle money, add a bottom pair rate, and that is an ideal percentage of the eventual cap to spend on defenders.

The motivation

The Habs needed a right-shot D to replace David Savard. Most fans and pundits assumed they would acquire a veteran through trade or free agency to hold the fort until one of Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux was ready. But that would have meant another two to three years before the Habs were taking another step forward, while they waited for rookies to adjust to the NHL.

Dobson is a proven top-four defender, known for his offensive skills, and developing his defensive game. With his acquisition, the Habs D-core is set for the future.

Hughes added another motivation. He referenced Florida’s ability to roll two top lines, and the need to have a puck mover on the ice with each of them. Hughes might still be working to add to the second line, but he believes he has already strengthened the top six by adding Dobson.

The implications

The first implication is obvious from the GM’s comments. It sounds like the intention in acquiring Dobson is that he and Lane Hutson will not play together. They will each be on the ice to support one of the top lines.

The second point worth noting is that the Habs don’t need to do anything else immediately. They can keep Mike Matheson, leave the kids to develop in the AHL, and run the same D group they did last year with Dobson being a giant upgrade over the declining Savard.

The third implication is the impact on Matheson. I wonder how he felt hearing that Hughes now feels he has a puck mover for two top lines. I wonder what happened in that meeting last week between Matheson and HuGo. It feels like an extension is not as likely as we originally thought. Is Matheson available now, or will they wait until one of the kids is truly ready?

What about the impact on Mailloux? Bottom pair might be a perfect fit for Mailloux, while giving the Habs a big point shot for the power play. But it’s unlikely he will attain a higher slot in Montreal. Might he also be available to package for an addition to the second line?

The final implication is the ascension to the contention window. HuGo liked making the playoffs, and they know the upward mobility needs to continue. Dobson is another piece of that core group that will contend for a Stanley Cup. Three of the four top-four defenders for the contention window are ready. The other is close.

What about the rest of the draft?

Nick Bobrov called it – we’re looking for top-six talent. The guy they would have taken if they kept their first rounders was still there in the second round, so they made a trade to make sure they landed him.

Alexander Zharovsky is a big and skilled forward who will continue to develop in Russia. The Habs believe they added a first round talent in the second round, and that he can be a top-six forward.

They also took swings with other kids, and made another trade to move up. That’s the story of this group – intentional targets and the savvy to land them.

It was a highly effective draft window of change for the Montreal Canadiens. But we’re told they’re not done.

The free agency change window is opening, with teams making decisions on pending free agents, both restricted and unrestricted, and manoeuvring their cap situations. Don’t be surprised if HuGo moves again to accelerate the Habs ascension into their competitive window.