NHL Notebook: Canadiens acquire Noah Dobson from Islanders for No. 16, No. 17 picks as trade flurry continues

Ahead of the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, there’s been a flurry of activity across the league. John Tavares signed a four-year extension worth $4.38 million annually with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team-friendly extension that will keep the star centre in town through a contention window.

Aside from the Leafs securing one of their foundational players, the rest of the NHL were frantically making moves on Friday.

Here’s what you need to know:

Canadiens acquire Noah Dobson from Islanders for No. 16, No. 17 pick, Dobson signs 8 x $9.5M extension

It’s clear that the Atlantic Division is once again an arms race, and the Montreal Canadiens could be one of the NHL’s most fascinating teams heading into 2025-26. Montreal acquired defenceman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for the No. 16 and No. 17 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, along with forward Emil Heineman. It’s a power move by the Canadiens, who have secured another star defenceman to add to their corps, with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson leading the charge. Montreal boasts arguably the NHL’s best prospect pool so it’s the rare team that can afford to surrender two first-round picks for a player ready to contribute immediately.

The Islanders will receive Emil Heineman and the Habs' two 2025 first-round picks in exchange for Noah Dobson, per @FriedgeHNIC 🔄 pic.twitter.com/7Mh7kIIPuU

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 27, 2025

New York can now accelerate its rebuild with three picks in this year’s draft, including the first overall selection, where it’s widely expected that defenceman Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters will be the choice. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche gets to build the team in his own visage, while Dobson will sign an eight-year contract worth $9.5 million annually. It’s a win-win trade, for teams moving in separate directions.

Canucks’ Brock Boeser going to market

#Canucks recently made another run at bringing back pending UFA forward Brock Boeser.

Boeser will be going to market on July 1.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 27, 2025

Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser will elect to test free agency on July 1, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports. Boeser recorded 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games and is now two seasons removed from a 40-goal campaign. The 28-year-old right winger is expected to have several suitors in this year’s market, where the Toronto Maple Leafs could emerge as a potentially attractive option.

It’s been widely assumed that Boeser grew frustrated with the Canucks over the past season and perhaps a change of scenery is needed for both parties. With Tavares off the board, Boeser projects as one of the top three free agents in this year’s class, with AFP Analytics projecting he’ll receive a six-year deal worth $8.5 million annually.

Blue Jackets acquire Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood from Avalanche for Gavin Brindley, two picks

It’s not entirely clear what the Colorado Avalanche are doing, but it cleared $7.75 million in cap space by trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for prospect Gavin Brindley, the Blue Jackets’ third-round pick at the 2025 draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027 belonging to either the Avalanche or Minnesota Wild.

Coyle was a trade deadline rental, coming over from the Boston Bruins, but it was a resounding disappointment. The 33-year-old posted just one goal in seven games as the Avalanche were ousted in seven games by the Dallas Stars. Coyle is two years removed from a 25-goal campaign and he could slot into a third-line role with the Blue Jackets. Wood is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL but doesn’t produce much, with four goals and eight points in 37 games last season.

Brindley was selected 34th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He posted six goals and 17 points in 52 games with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters last season at 20 years old, still has plenty of room to develop into his prime. It’s still a puzzling move from the Avalanche who appeared to be firmly in their Cup contention window, only to make a series of moves to prioritize cap room above all.

Quick hits

• Trent Frederic officially agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $3.85 million annually with the Edmonton Oilers. Frederic was acquired by the Oilers from the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline and will likely spend the duration of his career with Edmonton in a bottom-six role.
• Jack Quinn signed a two-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres, worth $3.375 million annually. Quinn posted 15 goals and 39 points in 74 games with the Sabres last season, and will be afforded an opportunity to command a massive deal on the market two seasons from now, as he’s still just 23 years old.