The Summer of Dobson: Recapping Kent Hughes’ Trades & Signings So Far

Big changes for the Habs this offseason: emotional farewells, key departures, and a huge trade. Veteran defenseman David Savard retires, while Quebec talent returns to the fold. But the headline? Montreal lands Noah Dobson, a game-changing move that signals this young team is ready to take the next step.

Heading into the offseason, it was clear the Habs had work to do.
Their unexpected playoff appearance was both surprising and thrilling, especially for a team whose famous preseason mantra for 2024 was simply “being in the mix.” But as exciting as the late push was, the first-round series against the Capitals exposed some glaring problems. Montreal lacked physicality when it counted, and the search for a steady second-line center remained unresolved all year long.

So, What's Been Happening?
A lot, actually.

The Canadiens’ roster saw a bunch of changes this summer, some expected, some bittersweet, and a few that fans had been hoping (or bracing) for.

Let’s start with the emotional one: David Savard called it a career. This gritty vet was a rock on the blue line, a leader, a warrior, and a important shot-blocker who brought Stanley Cup experience to a young D-core. His absence will be felt both on the ice and in the room.

Elsewhere, the Habs made a few moves that signaled a shift in direction.

• Christian Dvorak signed with Philly. A cap-clearing move that was needed after a tough, injury-plagued run in Montreal.
• Joel Armia lands in L.A. That one stings. A force on the penalty kill and a reliable third-liner, he had a great chemistry with Jake Evans. It didn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but made a difference every night.
• Logan Mailloux, once projected as part of the future, was traded to the Blues. The blue line is getting too crowded. With Dobson arriving, there just wasn’t space left.

We also said goodbye to a few fan favorites:

• Michael Pezzetta, all heart (and hair), brought grit and chaos every night. But the bottom-six logjam made it tough to keep him. We’ll miss his celly's
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• Cayden Primeau exits as well. A once-promising goalie prospect who just couldn’t quite lock down the backup role, even though he was given multiple chances.

The Québec Boys Are Coming Home
Even with the loss of Saint-Hyacinthe native David Savard, a strong Québec presence is taking shape, and it’s not just symbolic. These are guys who can play, who bring heart, and who know what it means to wear the bleu blanc rouge.

• Zachary Bolduc, a former first-rounder with legit skill and bite, joins the squad. He’s got something to prove and could be a smart low-risk, high-reward bet for a team still shaping its identity.
• Samuel Blais brings playoff experience, grit, and surprising offense when given the chance. Not a bad player to bet on.
   
• And then there’s Alex Belzile. Most likely Laval-bound, but still the kind of guy teammates love. Positive and hard-working.

This team isn’t just playing for Québec. It’s powered by it.

Oh, and One More Thing… NOAH DOBSON IS A HAB.
Yeah, that happened.

Kent Hughes did not mess around this summer.

Montreal landed defenseman Noah Dobson in a blockbuster deal with the Islanders, sending away Emil Heineman and two 2025 first-round picks. Just a few hours later, Montreal wasted no time and signed him for 8 years, $9.5M AAV. This sends a clear message. Dobson is not going to be a placeholder, but a potential franchise piece.

At just 25, he’s already played more than 350 NHL games, put up 70 points last season (yes, 70 from the blue line), and averaged over 23 minutes a night. He’s 6'4" and known for being very controlled, smart, and calm under pressure. He’s not going to be throwing huge hits like Xhekaj, but he can shut things down with good reads and positioning. In other words, he’s not flashy, but he’s effective. He’s an offensively minded defenseman who knows how to shift momentum. And his arrival? It might just make Mike Matheson’s future in Montreal a little less certain.

Even better? He’s just getting started. Dobson is stepping into a system in Montreal that’s younger, faster, and more open than what he had with the Islanders. Don’t be surprised if his point totals keep climbing. He’s going to be given more freedom, offensive responsibility, and probably some power play time to match.

He is the perfect fit for this young team. Whether it’s pairing him with the steady, two-way play of Guhle, with a physical guy like Xhekaj, or the puck-moving magic of Lane Hutson, Dobson brings balance everywhere. He fits perfectly with the vibe of this core: Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Guhle… and now Dobson.

This move is a statement. It says: We’re done waiting. Let’s build something real.

Noah Dobson is a Hab.

And that just might change everything.