The $9.5 million AAV contract Noah Dobson signed with the Canadiens after being traded from the Islanders could serve as a benchmark for Evan Bouchard’s upcoming negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers.
It’s uncertain whether Bouchard is willing to commit to an eight-year deal like Dobson did — there’s speculation he might prefer a shorter term, possibly around four years, to wait and see how the salary cap evolves. Both players are offensive-minded, right-shot defencemen, the same age (25), and from the same 2018 draft class — Bouchard selected 10th overall, Dobson 12th.
Their regular-season stats are nearly identical. Bouchard has put up 238 points in 347 games for Edmonton, while Dobson has recorded 230 points in 388 games for the Islanders — and without the benefit of feeding stars like Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Bouchard also has the edge in playoff production, with 72 points over the last three postseasons, which could push his value closer to the $10 million mark.
As for Dobson’s trade, it’s puzzling why the Islanders would part with their top defenceman — even coming off a quieter 39-point season — for a modest return: third-line winger Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th picks in Friday’s draft, selections that are likely years away from making an NHL impact.
That said, new Islanders GM Mathieu Darche is clearly trying to make a big move. He’s reportedly offering both picks in an effort to move up in the draft to select highly coveted Long Island-born center James Hagens, a favorite of team owner Jon Ledecky.
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