A Blockbuster on Draft Day
Dobson Traded, Schaefer Incoming? and Isles eying Hagens?
Good Afternoon, Islanders Country.
What a day to be an Islanders fan - and the draft is still hours away! For weeks, we knew the Dobson rumors were more than just smoke—and now, the fire has arrived. On draft day, no less.
The Islanders have traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in a major shakeup that signals a new direction on the blue line. In return, New York receives picks No. 16 and No. 17, along with forward Emil Heineman. It’s the type of deal that screams rebuild the right way, and all but locks in that Matthew Schaefer will be the pick at No. 1 overall.
Dobson’s departure is no small thing. He’s just 25 and recently became the first Isles defenseman since Denis Potvin to hit 70 points in a season. But his reported $11 million AAV ask was a sticking point—and with last season’s production dipping to 39 points, GM Mathieu Darche clearly wasn’t ready to bet the franchise on him long-term.
So what now? Here’s where things get spicy.
With two mid-round picks, the Isles could sit tight and draft for depth—but this is the NHL Draft, and fans have been teased with rumors that they could be eyeing James Hagens, the Long Island native and dynamic forward. If Darche packages those picks to move up and nab Hagens, this instantly becomes an A+ draft haul for the Isles. Think about it: Schaefer and Hagens in the same night?
That’s foundational.
This is a franchise-altering night, and it hasn’t started yet.
And we leave you with this…Noah Dobson OT goal vs. Edmonton in 2022
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