Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Islanders' Noah Dobson Makes Surprising Decision Before Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 5:30 AM ET

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has changed player agencies just weeks before the trade deadline, fueling speculation about his future.

While it’s not uncommon for players to switch agents, doing so in the middle of the season—especially amid trade speculation—has raised a few eyebrows.

Dobson, who is in the final season of a three-year, $12 million contract, will become a restricted free agent this summer.

According to Stefen Rosner, Dobson has moved on from agent Andrew Maloney and signed a deal with Judd Moldaver and Olivier Fortier of Wasserman.

With the move, Dobson joins the agency representing some superstar players such as Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers team captains Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid respectively.

Per industry sources, #Isles Noah Dobson has changed agents from Andrew Maloney to Judd Moldaver and Olivier Fortier of Wasserman.
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) February 12, 2025

With the Islanders engaging in "specific" trade talks involving the 25-year-old, the timing of his decision has drawn attention.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman discussed this news appearing on Sportsnet 590 THE FAN on Wednesday and he didn't believe the change was geared toward forcing a move away from New York

"My first impression is this: I don’t think Noah Dobson is going to leave the Islanders,” Friedman said. "I don’t have any reason to believe at this point in time that he’s doing it because he wants to leave New York."

“I don’t have any reason to believe at this point in time that he’s doing it because he wants to leave New York.”@FriedgeHNIC weighs in on Noah Dobson changing agents with @mattymar89 & @futamichael. #Isles

LIVE ⤵️
https://t.co/SqK7M993Jz
https://t.co/tEtiRUWyip pic.twitter.com/NtsEx7dTo1
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) February 12, 2025

Friedman was the one reporting the talks between the Islanders and, presumably, the Vancouver Canucks involving Dobson on Monday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast.

That said, Friedman reported that Dobson isn't being dangled league-wide and that New York is only going to trade him under very specific circumstances.

Dobson has recorded six goals and 18 assists in 46 games this season while averaging over 24 minutes of ice time per game.

The Islanders remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race but the team is sitting four points out of a wild-card spot with a 25-23-7 record.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: