Canadiens D Noah Dobson, David Reinbacher battling injuries

Defenseman Noah Dobson, the Montreal Canadiens' key offseason acquisition, is day-to-day after suffering a groin injury Thursday night in a preseason game.

He left prior to the third period of the Canadiens' 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and did not return. After the game, head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed the injury and the status of Dobson.

The Canadiens acquired Dobson, 25, in a sign-and-trade agreement with the New York Islanders on June 27 as he agreed to an eight-year, $76 million contract.

In return, the Islanders received forward Emil Heineman and both of Montreal's first-round picks (Nos. 16 and 17) in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Islanders used those selections on Swedish right winger Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson of Barrie (OHL).

Defenseman David Reinbacher also left the game in the third period with a hand injury and did not return. The Canadiens announced Friday that he'll miss four weeks with a broken metacarpal bone.

Montreal undoubtedly hopes this season isn't starting the same way as the last one for the Austrian, who suffered a knee injury in the preseason and didn't play in the NHL.

Reinbacher, who turns 21 next month, was selected fifth overall in the 2023 draft by Montreal.

Dobson recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) and averaged 23:16 of ice time in 71 games last season.

The Prince Edward Island native has totaled 230 points (50 goals, 180 assists) in 388 career games since being selected by the Islanders with the 12th overall pick of the 2018 draft.