The Montreal Canadiens will have to wait and see on the status of their prize off-season acquisition.
Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday’s pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the third period.
After the game, head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters that Dobson suffered a groin injury and he is day-to-day. The 25-year-old defenceman played 15:16 through the two periods before being forced to exit.
Montreal acquired Dobson from the New York Islanders this off-season for forward Emil Heineman and the Canadiens’ two 2025 first-round picks, 16th and 17th overall.
After the trade, the Canadiens signed Dobson to an eight-year, $76-million contract extension.
Dobson was drafted 12th overall in 2018 by the Islanders and played the past six seasons in New York.
In 71 games last season with the Islanders, the Summerside, P.E.I., native posted 39 points (10 goals and 29 assists). Through 388 career regular-season games, he has recorded 230 points (50 goals and 180 assists).
Dobson wasn’t the only blue line trouble the Canadiens dealt with on Thursday, as defenceman David Reinbacher was also forced to leave the game late in the third period. Per St. Louis, he is still being evaluated.
Reinbacher, 20, was selected by the Canadiens fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Canadiens were also without Kaiden Guhle on Thursday, as the defenceman didn’t play against the Leafs for “maintenance reasons.” St. Louis also classified Guhle as day-to-day with a groin injury.
However, it doesn’t sound like the injuries will affect the Canadiens for long.
“I don’t think it’s serious stuff, so I’m not too worried about it,” St. Louis said after the game.