Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun

50s
There's a real sense that a Dobson trade could happen by tonight given the possibility of a first-round pick from tonight being included in the trade. St. Louis, Montreal and Columbus among the teams with interest.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
On Noah Dobson: have heard this morning his preference is to stay in the Eastern Conference.

So keep that in mind as talks around him continue
- Gabe Athaus

Wow when the biggest names in hockey are reporting it there’s obviously something to it. The only reason to trade Dobson is if he’s unwilling to budge off that 11 million number (if that’s even true). Maybe Dobson wants out? I mean there’s really no difference in 10 million and 11 million. You’re still living in the same house with the same cars and luxuries.

It will be interesting if he’s traded to see where he ends up as this is a big contract for him so perhaps he ends up in a tax free state? St Louis, Montreal, or Columbus aren’t it

Wow when the biggest names in hockey are reporting it there’s obviously something to it. The only reason to trade Dobson is if he’s unwilling to budge off that 11 million number (if that’s even true). Maybe Dobson wants out? I mean there’s really no difference in 10 million and 11 million. You’re still living in the same house with the same cars and luxuries.

It will be interesting if he’s traded to see where he ends up as this is a big contract for him so perhaps he ends up in a tax free state?
- kindlyrick

It sure sounds like the Isles are going to lose him. Too bad. But I agree with everyone that $11 MM is just too big a cap hit for a d-man who looked shaky on D last season. I still think some sort of a bridge deal might make the most sense. A "show me" deal, as in "show me that you still know had to play solid D", thereby justifying $11 MM per season.

Wow when the biggest names in hockey are reporting it there’s obviously something to it. The only reason to trade Dobson is if he’s unwilling to budge off that 11 million number (if that’s even true). Maybe Dobson wants out? I mean there’s really no difference in 10 million and 11 million. You’re still living in the same house with the same cars and luxuries.

It will be interesting if he’s traded to see where he ends up as this is a big contract for him so perhaps he ends up in a tax free state? St Louis, Montreal, or Columbus aren’t it
- kindlyrick

Those are the three teams that keep popping up from all the big boys. Maybe he grew up a Habs fan and wants to play there. Who knows. But MTL arguably has the best group of prospects and young players to choose from. Hage, Mailloux, Reinbacher would all be phenomenal adds and none of those guys are even regulars with the big club yet.

Sounds like MTL is Dobson's preference. Lots of good prospects/young players there. And they have two consecutive mid-1st picks.
- Gabe Athaus

I don’t think they trade him unless they get the pick or picks that make drafting Hagens a reality.
I don’t want to move him but if we can add this kid who is very talented and wants to be here an Islander I do it. Actually rather trade Dobson vs Romy.
If you want something good you need to give something good as well.
Dobson certainly is talented and young but other than one year he has struggled to become the player everyone thought he would be.

Crazy that we are hearing he wants to stay on the East Coast and other tidbits which you would never hear when Lou was here.

It sure sounds like the Isles are going to lose him. Too bad. But I agree with everyone that $11 MM is just too big a cap hit for a d-man who looked shaky on D last season. I still think some sort of a bridge deal might make the most sense. A "show me" deal, as in "show me that you still know had to play solid D", thereby justifying $11 MM per season.
- JohnScammo

Would you trade him if you could get Hagens and…..?

Those are the three teams that keep popping up from all the big boys. Maybe he grew up a Habs fan and wants to play there. Who knows. But MTL arguably has the best group of prospects and young players to choose from. Hage, Mailloux, Reinbacher would all be phenomenal adds and none of those guys are even regulars with the big club yet.
- Gabe Athaus

Well they said a pick could be coming the isles way, so perhaps there’s someone they’re big on from picks 16-20.

Noah Dobson's problem is he played like a $6M defenseman in a contract year but wants to be paid among the top d-men in the league. I just don't see how he makes the case that he should be paid more than Makar, McAvoy, Werenski, etc. He's starting his negotiation asking to be the second-highest paid d-man in the league, going by AAV, and I don't think he's played like that, especially this past season in a contract year.

Wow when the biggest names in hockey are reporting it there’s obviously something to it. The only reason to trade Dobson is if he’s unwilling to budge off that 11 million number (if that’s even true). Maybe Dobson wants out? I mean there’s really no difference in 10 million and 11 million. You’re still living in the same house with the same cars and luxuries.

It will be interesting if he’s traded to see where he ends up as this is a big contract for him so perhaps he ends up in a tax free state? St Louis, Montreal, or Columbus aren’t it
- kindlyrick

Heard that Nashville really likes Hagens so I’m thinking Nashville may trade for Dobson but if they want Hagens you might be dealing with Utah.
Not an easy task and at the end of the day it may not happen.

Dobson is an RFA and could get and offer sheet. If he signs an 11 million dollar contract the offer sheet team needs to give 2 1st round picks plus a second at least.

Would you trade him if you could get Hagens and…..?
- nyisles7

Yes. The Hagens pick plus maybe a prospect would do it. Or the Hagens pick plus even a pick in next year's draft.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
47s
@reporterchris reported that it's down to CBJ & MTL for #Isles Noah Dobson.

@FriedgeHNIC said Dobson prefers to be in East.

Under the impression that whatever pick(s) get acquired get flipped for a top-10 pick.

CBJ: No. 14, No. 20
MTL: No. 16 & 17 (both could come back)

Noah Dobson's problem is he played like a $6M defenseman in a contract year but wants to be paid among the top d-men in the league. I just don't see how he makes the case that he should be paid more than Makar, McAvoy, Werenski, etc. He's starting his negotiation asking to be the second-highest paid d-man in the league, going by AAV, and I don't think he's played like that, especially this past season in a contract year.
- UIF

I agree with you, but Dobson kinda has the leverage here in that he’s using his high price ask as a way to force them into paying him or trading him to someone who wants him so badly they’re gonna pay it.

Heard that Nashville really likes Hagens so I’m thinking Nashville may trade for Dobson but if they want Hagens you might be dealing with Utah.
Not an easy task and at the end of the day it may not happen.

Dobson is an RFA and could get and offer sheet. If he signs an 11 million dollar contract the offer sheet team needs to give 2 1st round picks plus a second at least.
- nyisles7

I’ll take that offer sheet in a heartbeat.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
47s
@reporterchris reported that it's down to CBJ & MTL for #Isles Noah Dobson.

@FriedgeHNIC said Dobson prefers to be in East.

Under the impression that whatever pick(s) get acquired get flipped for a top-10 pick.

CBJ: No. 14, No. 20
MTL: No. 16 & 17 (both could come back)
- Gabe Athaus

The story is certainly looking like they’re gonna flip Dobson in order to use those picks to get Hagens (or someone else on their radar)

I agree with you, but Dobson kinda has the leverage here in that he’s using his high price ask as a way to force them into paying him or trading him to someone who wants him so badly they’re gonna pay it.
- kindlyrick

Yep, I don't fault him for going for it all. He can do that and someone will likely pay it. And it might pay off for that team. I don't like losing Dobson, who should be a piece to build around, but I'm OK with not paying the king's ransom for a guy who hasn't earned it yet and instead getting a quality return for him. If he turns into the best d-man in the league, that'd be unfortunate for the Isles, but I'd still get their logic in the here and now.

The story is certainly looking like they’re gonna flip Dobson in order to use those picks to get Hagens (or someone else on their radar)
- kindlyrick

That's what it's starting to look like. If they got both MTL picks they could, I assume, package them up and try to get back into the top-10. Even if they can't get Hagens, they would still be adding a phenomenal prospect.

I mean, we've all watched Dobson play. Beyond all the heat maps and fancy stats, does anyone recall a game this season where we said, "Man, Dobson really threw the team on his back, took absolute control, and completely changed the outcome"? I feel like the best d-men in the league are unquestionably game changers when it really counts. Maybe Dobson gets there sooner than later, but I don't think he's there yet, and maybe he'll only ever be a nice player and not a game-changer. I'd much rather go shorter term for good money and find out than gamble with a long-term contract for crazy money. But reality is what it is.

That's what it's starting to look like. If they got both MTL picks they could, I assume, package them up and try to get back into the top-10. Even if they can't get Hagens, they would still be adding a phenomenal prospect.
- Gabe Athaus

And they also have the Brock Nelson first next year as draft capital.

I mean, we've all watched Dobson play. Beyond all the heat maps and fancy stats, does anyone recall a game this season where we said, "Man, Dobson really threw the team on his back, took absolute control, and completely changed the outcome"? I feel like the best d-men in the league are unquestionably game changers when it really counts. Maybe Dobson gets there sooner than later, but I don't think he's there yet, and maybe he'll only ever be a nice player and not a game-changer. I'd much rather go shorter term for good money and find out than gamble with a long-term contract for crazy money. But reality is what it is.
- UIF

Dobson is gonna get better, but I don’t think he has Matthew Schaefer upside. Schaefer could be a Norris winner. I think Schaefer is now making Dobson expendable.

Dobson is gonna get better, but I don’t think he has Matthew Schaefer upside. Schaefer could be a Norris winner. I think Schaefer is now making Dobson expendable.
- kindlyrick

To some degree, yes. But the right side of the blueline is going to be absolutely brutal without Dobson. Pulock is aging rapidly and Mayfield is too and was never as talented as Pulock. Tony D helps in the short term but he's not a long-term answer.

Cam Robinson

@Hockey_Robinson
2m
Word around the campfire is that Montreal appears far more confident than Columbus that they'll win the Noah Dobson sweepstakes.

To some degree, yes. But the right side of the blueline is going to be absolutely brutal without Dobson. Pulock is aging rapidly and Mayfield is too and was never as talented as Pulock. Tony D helps in the short term but he's not a long-term answer.
- Gabe Athaus

This is undoubtedly true. "I'm the best you have" is definitely worth something; I just think it's worth south of what he's asking (and likely what he's trying to negotiate down to).

To some degree, yes. But the right side of the blueline is going to be absolutely brutal without Dobson. Pulock is aging rapidly and Mayfield is too and was never as talented as Pulock. Tony D helps in the short term but he's not a long-term answer.
- Gabe Athaus

I’d think that it’s ideal to have a lefty and righty on your top pair, especially for PP1. But if moving Dobson achieves the goal of bettering this roster I’m ok with it. I like the idea of Tony D short term as he looked super solid for the short time he was here. After all this public tweeting about Dobson (something we’re not used to) it’s clear that Darche is forming this team and I’m confident if he drafts Schaefer that he will get him his partner for the top pair.

I’d think that it’s ideal to have a lefty and righty on your top pair, especially for PP1. But if moving Dobson achieves the goal of bettering this roster I’m ok with it. I like the idea of Tony D short term as he looked super solid for the short time he was here. After all this public tweeting about Dobson (something we’re not used to) it’s clear that Darche is forming this team and I’m confident if he drafts Schaefer that he will get him his partner for the top pair.
- kindlyrick

They'll have time if they trade Dobson, that's for sure. It feels a lot more like a rebuild if they're moving him. Especially if it's for futures-only.

They'll have time if they trade Dobson, that's for sure. It feels a lot more like a rebuild if they're moving him. Especially if it's for futures-only.
- Gabe Athaus

Well I thought the Habs were offering prospects with picks in some fashion. Either way losing Dobson creates a hole. Perhaps Darche signs a UFA like Ekblad 👀

Well I thought the Habs were offering prospects with picks in some fashion. Either way losing Dobson creates a hole. Perhaps Darche signs a UFA like Ekblad 👀
- kindlyrick

god no. If Ekblad leaves FLA some team is going to make a colossal mistake in signing him to a big ticket. He's slowing down fast.