Early Results of Dobson and Bolduc Trades for the Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have made significant moves to enhance their roster following their unexpected playoff run in the 2024-25 season. The team traded two first-round picks to acquire Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, a bold strategy aimed at solidifying their competitive edge during an ongoing rebuild.

Overview of Trades: Dobson and Bolduc

In addition to Dobson, the Canadiens also traded for Zachary Bolduc, who is viewed as a promising addition to the core team. Both players are relatively young, with Dobson at 25 and Bolduc at 22, allowing them to grow with the franchise as they aim for future success.

Early Results of Dobson and Bolduc Trades

The early performance of these new acquisitions was assessed after just two games this season. Although the sample size is small, statistics indicate a positive start for Dobson as he pairs with Mike Matheson on defense. Observations show that the Matteson-Dobson duo is crucial for the team’s performance, helping to balance the team’s defensive efforts.

• Dobson and Matheson control 57% of shot attempts (29-22).
• They also boast 63% of scoring chances (17-10).
• Their high-danger scoring chances are at 67% (8-4).
• Expected goals share stands at 69% (2.09 – 0.95).

This depth of analytics supports the notion that both players are not merely benefiting from playing alongside strong forwards but are integral to creating scoring opportunities and controlling the game.

Initial Impressions of Zachary Bolduc

While Bolduc’s early statistics do not yet showcase dominance, he ranks sixth in expected goals among the team. This places him behind only the top defensive pairing and first line, indicating that he is making valuable contributions despite the challenges of early-season adjustments. He has also scored in consecutive games, marking a promising start to his career with the Canadiens.

Future Outlook

Ultimately, it is still early in the season to label these trades as unequivocal victories for Montreal. However, the initial results are encouraging and suggest that both Dobson and Bolduc are poised to have a significant impact on the Canadiens’ upward trajectory. The team aims to build on this momentum as they strive for a more competitive future.