Noah Dobson has started skating again

Remember that we later learned Dobson had undergone thumb surgery, which meant he would likely be sidelined for four to six weeks. If we apply that to a timeline as of today, we're looking at another two to four weeks of absence… but that's without accounting for the good old “playoff magic,” which has a knack for hastening returns to the ice.

There's a scenario where Dobson would miss the rest of the first round but be available for the start of the second. Except that, in reality, right now, the Habs are playing so well that the absence of #53 isn't really being felt… and there's even starting to be a nice little problem in town.

At the start of the playoffs, we could simply assume that Dobson, if he were able to return, would simply push Arber Xhekaj or Jayden Struble aside. That was the fairly logical conclusion that seemed obvious.

Except that in reality, right now, both guys are indispensable… and they even form a pair that, in a limited role, dominates at 5-on-5.

We agree that Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle won't be benched either. And Alexandre Carrier, the only right-hander currently in uniform, has also found a way to make himself indispensable.

Obviously, we agree that Dobson, if he's able to play, won't be benched because we prefer Xhekaj or Struble. That said, right now, it would be hard to justify sending either of them to the press box given how well both guys are playing.

The issue could be resolved in due time, we agree. But as things stand, it's a nice problem to have.

On the other hand, if there's anyone who would be happy to see Dobson return quickly, it's Pascal Vincent. In a scenario where Dobson is back and healthy, it's likely that David Reinbacher and/or Adam Engström would return to Laval to help the Rocket, who will begin their playoff run shortly.

Since Engström took part in yesterday's warm-up (and one might wonder if that had anything to do with Xhekaj's health), it's likely that Reinbacher would be the first to be sent down. And we can all agree that, for his development, getting significant playoff minutes in Laval wouldn't be a bad thing.

So we'll see how this situation plays out, but Dobson seems to be getting closer to a return. And it certainly puts things into perspective when you remember that the Habs are leading their series against the Lightning… and that the team's highest-paid player (and major acquisition from last summer) hasn't played a single minute in that series.

In a nutshell

– Hehe.

– Another win for CF Montréal.

– Indeed.